Passion Plays tell the story of Easter, a story that is known by many people as the greatest story ever told. Told through immersive theatre and live performance, Passion Plays offer an experience that brings the story of Easter to life. The best thing is they are free and performed on the streets so everyone can see for themselves.
What is a Passion Play?
Traditionally, a Passion Play dramatised the events of the last week of Jesus’ life, focussing on the events that led up to his crucifixion. Today many Passion Play
s also include a dramatic portrayal of Jesus’ life which includes his teachings and miracles to show the context in which his death took place. And more importantly, they also dramatise his resurrection, because no telling of the Easter story would be complete without that!
The real story of Easter has all the
elements of stories that are compelling and confronting: treachery, betrayal, injustice, sacrifice, redemption and a startling ending.
Passion Plays use theatre to bring the words of the Gospel to life in new, often vivid and startling, ways. They show how the message of second chances, forgiveness and new opportunities has the potential to speak life and hope into communities. Not least those struggling with poverty, crime, addiction or hopelessness and boredom.
Every time they are performed, Passion Plays allow the story of Easter to speak again to new audiences in new contexts.
Why are they called Passion Plays?
The word ‘Passion’ refers to the fervent love Jesus had for the people he came to save. The Bible tells us that ‘God so loved the world that he sent his only son so that no one would perish but all would come to eternal life’. Such fervent love endures all suffering and we know that Jesus ‘for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising its shame’.
Passion [noun:] fervour, intensity, feeling, excitement, hope, longing, desire
It also refers to the intense suffering in Jesus’ life from the time of his betrayal and agony in the Garden of Gethsemane to his trial, torture and death.
Passion [noun:] agony, suffering, distress, torment, torture
Finally, ‘Passion’ can also encompass our response to God’s love and Jesus’ willingness to die for us. Telling the story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection reminds us of how God entered our world of suffering and paved the way to new hope and a second chance. Jesus came to die on the cross and h His cruel death and disgrace was in exchange for our new life. His suffering – his passion – is the measure of his love for us.
Passionate [verb:] enthusiasm, fascination, zeal, fervour, excitement, devotion
