Re-enactment of Our Lord's Passion

2013 - 2014 - Sunny days

2013 - 12 Apostles big and small

Both 2013 and 2014 were sunny days. Yay!
As always a mix of old and new actors and support people making the play the same but different.
Enjoy.

2013 - Jesus being escorted by the Jewish guards

2013 - A young Pontius Pilate's first appearance

2013 - A lot of Romans doing their thing

2013 - Weeping Women ready for action

2013 - A cute little "weeping woman"

2013 - Weeping Women - weeping.

2013 - Jesus Crucified

2014 - The crowd awaiting the start

2014 - Jesus explaining how things are

2014 - Pontius Pilate dealing with the peasants

2014 - The Way of the Cross

2014 - Simon of Cyrene helping with the Cross

2014 - Jesus followed by the two thieves

2014 - Jesus being "encouraged" by a friendly Roman

2011 & 2012 - More fine weather and a new Jesus

2011 - High Priests start young

As you have seen by this Passion Play history series, there are so many people involved as actors and more behind the scenes that work together to make this day such a success.
In many ways, the hardest role to play is that of Jesus. He is in every scene and the one scene in which He does not appear, He is the subject - the deal between Judas and the High Priests.
The actor playing Jesus has the most lines and the most stressful role, from the early scenes of His joyful procession into Jerusalem, the Last Supper where he explains what is about to happen and his farewell to the Apostles, the agony in the garden and his arrest and abandonment by his closest friends, the trial before the Sanhedrin, the questioning and judgement of Pontius Pilate, Scourging at the pillar and crowning with thorns, then an 800 metre walk carrying his cross to the crucifixion.

2011 - High Priests aplenty

2011 - The excellent Narrator staying out of the limelight.

The large crowds (between 5 and 10 thousand people) are listening to his every word through the microphone and speakers. He is jostled and abused by the Jewish and Roman guards.
When you think about it, who would volunteer for this?

The only way the actor playing Jesus can survive the play is to treat it as more than just an acting role. It is important he prepares not just physically, but also spiritually, to reflect on his role and the impact he can have on not just those around them, but also everyone that comes on Good Friday.

2011 - Washing Peter's feet

2011 - Jesus asking Peter, James and John to stay awake

2011 - An experienced Judas explaining how it's done to the Jewish Guards

I expect the best way to approach it is as a challenge, like so many God throws our way, where we accept the opportunity and with God's help, do it to the best of our ability.

Having witnessed so many of the Passion Plays I have a great respect for the brave men that have played Jesus over the years.
Well done!

2011 - Donation collectors watching the play

2011 - Pilate questioning Jesus

2011 - A reluctant Simon of Cyrene volunteered by the Centurion

2011 - a fine example of a Roman Auxiliary

2011 - How Jesus used to be carried from the Cross to the Tomb

2012 - Playing Jesus will be great!

2012 - Jesus washing Peter's feet

2012 - The Romans always get into the scourging.

2012 - The Crowning with Thorns

2012 - Jesus during the Way of the Cross

2012 - Jesus nearing the end of the way just before the Crucifixion

2009 & 2010 - Changing faces

2009 - High Priests awaiting Jesus

I have combined 2009 and 2010 in this post as we are need to be moving along to the present. We can gradually see some change in costumes and players.
In 2009 the Romans are in a consistent uniform and the Jewish Guards now have the dark over-tunic.
You can also see some changes in the set for the Sanhedrin with a pathway, chairs and candle holders.

Crowd Management is important as this allows the maximum number of the crowd to see the play, provides room for the actors to perform their scenes, and ensures the safety of all concerned. In 2009 you can see the crowd is distant from the fall of Jesus which allows more people to see and the actors to do their thing.

2009 - The Jewish guards now have the brown over-cloaks.

2009 - The Romans all in uniform "helping" Jesus

Something happened in 2010 and you can see the result with the crowd pushing in on Jesus and actors as they struggle to make their way to the crucifixion. (Bottom photo)

In 2010 the Jewish high priests had new costumes which look really impressive. There are costumes for 3 high priests and 3 members of the Sanhedrin.
Also, in 2010 there were a number of Auxiliaries attached to the Roman crew wearing brown costumes.

2009 - Centurion: "Truly this man was the Son of God"

To see the whole history series, you can look at the History section at the side of this page or go to the label History.

2010 - The High Priests now get the heavier outfits

2010 - Peter getting his feet washed.

2010 - A familiar fellow whipping Jesus - see the Roman Auxiliary?

2010 - A little encouragement during the Way of the Cross

2010 - When Crowd Management didn't work.

2008 - Another overcast year

Quite young apostles getting ready behind the weeping women

2008 was once more raining and overcast before the start and then cleared in time for the play. I think I am sensing a trend!
Each year we have a mix of old, new and returning players, acting in the various roles.
I have heard from a number of past participants that these photos are bringing back memories. Feel free to share some of yours in the comments.

You will also notice that some of the places in which the scenes are held have changed over time as different players and directors envisage the combination of the scene requirements, crowd positioning and experience, and crowd mechanics.

Judas getting ready to betray Jesus

Pontious Pilate questioning Jesus

An important part of the play management is planning out projected movements of the actors, props and crowd as the play moves from scene to scene. This is not a passive play where one can sit in a comfy chair and stay in one place. Every scene is a different physical place. The distance from the first scene where Judas makes his deal with the Jewish High Priest to the last scene of the burial of Jesus is about 1,500 metres. If you haven't participated in the play before, try to imagine the immersive nature of experiencing the Passion of Christ as you walk along, surrounded by others, hearing the actors, getting different views of the action depending on where you find yourself when the scene changes.

Jesus taken from the Cross. Who is that guy on the left?

A common tactic is to be at the front of the crowd in one scene and the rear in the next. That way over a couple of plays you get plenty of front row action.

The Crucifixion from the back of the crowd.

2007 - over 10 years ago

Lots of not so weeping young women in the fog.

Once more, forecasts of rain ended up as fog which lifted just before the starting time of 11am. This weather variability just adds to the excitement of the organisers.
It's sometimes interesting to look at these photos and consider that they are all now ten years older. The young girls that played weeping women are all now young ladies!