2022 - Upgrading of props and sets

Peter arisen after his luxury transport

The Re-enactment of Our Lord's Passion at the Shrine of Divine mercy has been performed for a great many years and we hope for many more. Understanding that the play has been of so much help for so many people, we have implemented a number of items to make it easier each year.

One of the improvements has been upgrading many of the props and sets to ensure the safety of all cast, crew and pilgrims.

This year we were able to make two major upgrades. 

Firstly we had a family friend build us a stretcher to carry Jesus from the Cross to the Tomb. This had to be safe and allow for a number of guards to be able to carry the stretcher and for Jesus to not only be safe, but feel safe too.

The new stretcher was made from some very sturdy recycled timber plus plenty of crossed-over rope. On the day this is covered with a hessian cover (which is being washed) and the result is a great new stretcher which is strong enough to last for many more years.

Our Clever Carpenter

Scourging at the pillar on a very stable platform

Carried in style

We have also been searching for a new option for the scourging stage for a number of years now. It is not easy to satisfy the requirements:

1. Safety - it has to be strong enough to hold 3 strong lads doing strenuous activity (Romans scourging Jesus)
2. Height - It needs to be high enough so the pilgrims can see what is happening
3. Stability - It needs to not move when in use, but be able to be dismantled for storage and transport
4. Non slip - there is plenty of fake blood and real sweat that spreads on the platform. We need to minimise the slipperiness, but have enough still there to be wiped up.
5. Agelessness - this is supposed to be plausibly appropriate for 1st century Jerusalem
6. Strength - we do not want to have to replace or upgrade or maintain it every year.
7. Slopes - the brick area on which the scourging stage is set is on a slope. So the platform has to be horizontal, while the ground slopes at a reasonable angle. A standard table or platform wouldn't work. It had to be custom.

So this year we engaged our local clever carpenter to build it for us. It is not inexpensive, but it matches all the above criteria. Also, this week the carpenter built approprate steps and marked all the points with numbers to allow for easier re-assembly next year. We will be able to flat pack the stage and store it and safely put it back together next year.

Here you can see the stage in action on Good Friday. The Scourgers and Jesus commented this was the most stable stage they had experienced. They felt much safer performing the scene not having to split their attention with not slipping or holding because the stage might wobble.

Thanks to our carpenter who was able to cleverly interpret the requirements from Ariel and myself and get the job done in time for the play.