When?  3 April 2026

Time?  11am 

Where? St John’s Church, Wrawby Street

Get directions now

On Good Friday 2026, the streets of Brigg will once again become the stage for one of the town’s most ambitious, moving, and unifying community events: the Brigg Passion Play. Presented by Oikos, the Brigg-based Christian charity that has served the community for a decade, the 2026 production promises to be the biggest and most dynamic retelling yet of the final days of Jesus’ life, a story of sacrifice, love, hope, and renewal that continues to resonate across cultures and generations.

Following the success of previous productions in 2007 and 2013, which together drew thousands of spectators and hundreds of volunteers, the Passion Play’s return has already sparked excitement among local residents, businesses, churches, schools, and community groups.  With more than 100 adults and children already preparing to take part on stage and behind the scenes, and with rehearsals, rehearsed readings, costume making, and technical planning all underway, Brigg is set to experience a remarkable moment of shared creativity and faith in 2026.

Yet this is not simply a theatrical enterprise.  The Brigg Passion Play is a gift from the community, for the community, an event that brings people together regardless of age, background, or belief.  It is grassroots storytelling on a grand scale, where shopkeepers perform beside schoolchildren, business owners stand alongside retirees, and professional performers collaborate with first-time actors.  It is also a chance to place Brigg in the regional spotlight, drawing visitors, encouraging footfall, and supporting the local economy over the Easter weekend.

Most importantly, this is a local story told by local people.  And in 2026, that story will be shaped by two of Brigg’s most recognisable creative forces: Darren Johnson, beloved across North Lincolnshire for his alter ego Annie Fanny, the region’s favourite pantomime dame, and fellow director and producer Lizi Welch, a respected local creative known for her deep commitment to community drama.  Together, their leadership is helping channel the enthusiasm of more than 100 volunteers into a powerful, polished, outdoor theatrical experience that will bring the Gospel narrative to life in ways that are visually striking, emotionally engaging, and grounded in the authentic spirit of Brigg.

A Story Rooted in Brigg’s Identity

Brigg is a town with a strong sense of identity, historic, community-minded, and proud of its traditions.  It has always been a place where people step up to support one another, and where creativity often springs from volunteer spirit rather than large budgets.

The first Brigg Passion Play in 2007 emerged from that spirit.  As an open-air performance held in the town centre, it combined amateur drama with professional direction, using local landscapes and architecture as natural backdrops for scenes such as the Triumphal Entry, the Last Supper, the trial before Pilate, and the Crucifixion.  Hundreds of people filled the Market Place to watch the story unfold. Six years later, in 2013, the second Passion Play demonstrated how deeply the tradition had taken hold.  That production saw increased involvement from local schools, businesses, and choirs, with a larger audience and expanded staging techniques.

In both years, participants described the rehearsals and performances as transformative, not only in a spiritual sense, but in what they did for community relationships.  People who barely knew one another became collaborators.  Children discovered confidence; adults discovered creativity they never knew they possessed.  Volunteers became friends, and audiences became part of the event as they followed the roving scenes around town.

That legacy, of unity, collaboration, and shared storytelling, is the foundation of the 2026 Brigg Passion Play.  And it is why so many local people, who still talk fondly of the earlier productions, have eagerly stepped forward to be part of the new one.

Oikos: A Quiet Force at the Heart of Brigg

The Passion Play is being produced by Oikos, a Christian charity based on Wrawby Street that has long served as a hub for community support, prayer, outreach, and practical help. Oikos has always been more than its building: it is a network of residents working together for the good of the town.  Its involvement ensures that the Passion Play remains rooted not only in Christian tradition but also in community care and hospitality. We are delighted that this is being put on in active partnership with Brigg Town Council, Brigg Live Arts and Brigg Community Partnership.

The organisation’s values, generosity, presence, and service, are reflected in the structure of the production itself.  The event is free to attend, open to all, and funded through sponsorship, grants, and donations, rather than ticket sales.  Volunteers are trained, supported, and encouraged to grow in confidence and skill.  Schools and families take part for the sheer joy of telling a meaningful story.  Local people are invited not merely to watch, but to participate, whether as actors, stewards, set builders, costume makers, musicians, or backstage crew.

In an era where many community events struggle for volunteers, Oikos has found that the Passion Play attracts people of all ages and abilities, proof that drama, storytelling, and shared purpose remain powerful tools for bringing a community together.

Meet the Creative Team: Darren Johnson and Lizi Welch

Any large-scale theatrical production requires experienced leadership, and the Brigg Passion Play has two directors whose talents complement one another beautifully.

Darren Johnson

Known across North Lincolnshire as Annie Fanny, Darren is a multi-talented performer whose pantomime work has delighted families for decades.  What many may not realise is that Darren is also a seasoned director and producer, with deep experience in outdoor performance, improvisation, and audience engagement.  His comic background brings warmth and approachability to rehearsals, helping nervous first-time performers find their voice.  Yet Darren is equally passionate about the emotional honesty of the Passion narrative, ensuring that scenes of betrayal, suffering, and sacrifice are handled with dignity and dramatic integrity.

Lizi Welch

Lizi is widely admired for her creativity, organisational skill, and ability to bring out the best in community performers.  She has led numerous local productions, workshops, and children’s drama groups, and is highly respected for her calm leadership and artistic eye. Lizzie’s role in the Passion Play focuses on script work, staging, and ensuring that every volunteer, whether centre stage or behind a curtain, feels supported and valued.

Together, Darren and Lizi are creating a production that is ambitious yet accessible, expressive yet grounded. Their goal is not to create professional theatre for its own sake, but to create meaningful theatre that belongs to Brigg.

A Cast and Crew of Over 100 Volunteers

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Passion Play is the scale of community involvement. More than 100 volunteers, adults, teenagers, and children, are already giving their time and talents.  Some are actors portraying disciples, Roman officials, townspeople, or the crowds that follow Jesus.  Others are singers or musicians providing atmospheric soundscapes.  Many more are backstage: producing props, sewing costumes, painting scenery, coordinating movement between scenes, managing sound equipment, or helping ensure the safety and flow of spectators.

Some volunteers have participated in the previous Passion Plays and bring warm memories.  But this time will be different bringing a fresh perspective and a contemporary take on a cosmic event.  Be sure to mark your calendars to be a part of a unique community experience.