Trafalgar Square Passion of Jesus to be performed in towns and cities across UK

James Burke-Dunsmore in the role of Jesus

For the past nine years, the Wintershall Cast have performed The Passion of Jesus in Trafalgar Square on Good Friday.

The story commemorating the day Jesus was arrested, tried and crucified by the Romans, two days before miraculously rising from the dead on Easter Sunday, is brought to life in the open air and has become a much-anticipated Easter fixture. This year's The Passion of Jesus will be performed this Good Friday 19 April in Trafalgar Square at midday and 3.15pm.

On Good Friday, 10 April 2020, they will not only be performing the Passion Play in London but the play will also be performed in several UK towns and cities on the same day - including performances in Bath, Liverpool, Horsham, Bishop Auckland, Hamilton and Worcester. It has long been Wintershall's dream to bring their Passion Play nationwide and to share their awe-inspiring full-scale re-enactment of the Passion with communities throughout the UK. The play will be performed for free by local casts in all locations.

Wintershall have licensed their Passion Script, written by Peter Hutley, and Production Manual to each new city and town taking part and each new production is performed by and produced by their local communities. This is a wonderful unifying project bringing communities together and telling the real story of Easter to a whole new audience.

Featuring realistic scenes and a moving crucifixion and resurrection, The Passion of Jesus is an unforgettable Easter experience. The Passion's Christian message embraces all denominations but is also for those of different faiths or none. It is both educational and historical.

Full details of each city and town taking part can be found at www.onegoodfriday.com. Each city or town will need cast members, production staff, volunteers and fundraisers to achieve this. Any additional cities or towns who would like to join in are very welcome, contact Wintershall for details.

The Passion of Jesus in Trafalgar Square attracts more than 20,000 people to its two performances. As well as Trafalgar Square this Good Friday 19 April 2019, the Wintershall Players will perform The Passion in Guildford on Easter Saturday.

The Passion play in London is directed by Ashley Herman and produced by Charlotte de Klee. The actor and artist James Burke-Dunsmore plays the role of Jesus with the rest of the Wintershall company made up of volunteer actors and stage crew from in and around London and the South East.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr Justin Welby said: "Passion Plays have been a feature of the life of our country since the Middle Ages, and for good reason: there is no greater story than that of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I hope and pray that this Easter, you can be caught up in the story of the love of God for the world in the person of Jesus. Come and see."

The Archbishop of Westminster, His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols said: "This Good Friday, I recall some of the last words of Pope St Paul II: 'We adore and bless the mystery of the Cross of the Son of God, because it was from his death that new hope for humanity was born.' I warmly commend this performance of The Passion of Jesus to you and thank all those who have had a part in bringing it about."

The Wintershall Cast will also perform the extraordinary Life of Christ at the Wintershall Estate in Surrey from 18-22 June and the now-famous Wintershall Nativity from 18-22 December 2019.

LINKS

www.onegoodfriday.com

www.wintershall.org.uk