Passion play’s true Easter message (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Passion play’s true Easter message

8:00pm Wednesday 11th April 2012 in News

THE true message of Easter came to the centre of Devizes on Good Friday when Christ was crucified on the Market Cross.

The Devizes Partnership of Churches commissioned Nina Woolrych to direct a passion play and she chose Meg Harper’s The Day They Killed the Son of God, which has enjoyed success with congregations across the country.

The cast was drawn from the congregations of the participating churches and was perfomed in modern dress, though the costumes had a symbolic red-and-black colour scheme.

The play began outside the front of Sainsbury’s, at the corner of Monday Market Street and Sidmouth Street, where Christ, played by local vet Andy Muckle, in his first acting role, was hauled in front of the Sanhedrin. The procession then moved on through Maryport Street and The Brittox to the Market Place, where Pontius Pilate held court and referred the case to King Herod, a colourful performance by Cameron Naughton, who played Christ the last time a passion play was held in Devizes ten years ago.

Christ was sentenced to die and was crucified, significantly, at the Market Cross, the representation of Mammon in the town.

The action was punctuated by hymns, led by Philippa Davidson, accompanying herself on guitar.

Despite problems with the sound system, the audience appreciated the work of the amateur cast and crew and stood in silence after the end of the performance.