24 Feb 2017
Tags: Easter, Easter holidays, Free Theatre
Wintershall Players presents
The Passion of Jesus
Trafalgar Square
Good Friday, 14 April 2017
12noon & 3.15pm
On Good Friday, Friday 14th April 2017, the renowned Wintershall Players return to the heart of London with their awe-inspiring full scale re-enactment of The Passion of Jesus, performed for free in the shadow of the National Gallery.
The story commemorating the day Jesus is believed to have been arrested, tried and crucified by the Romans, two days before miraculously rising from the dead on Easter Sunday is brought to life by a cast of over a hundred, all in resplendent costumes, along with horses, doves and donkeys. Featuring realistic scenes and a heart moving crucifixion and resurrection, The Passion of Jesus is an unforgettable Easter experience.
The Passion of Jesus has grown since the players first came to Trafalgar Square in 2010. Since then it has become a highly anticipated fixture of Holy Week, attracting more than 20,000 people to its two performances. As well as Trafalgar Square, the Wintershall Players will perform The Passion in Guildford on Easter Saturday.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The Passion of Jesus offers an opportunity for Londoners to see the events of Good Friday re-enacted in one of our city's most iconic locations. Attracting an audience of thousands, of all faiths and no organised faith, the Passion of Jesus provides a unique insight into Holy Week and demonstrates that London is open to people of all religions and backgrounds.”
Charlotte de Klee, producer of The Passion said “It is a play that through its drama speaks not only to those of the Christian faith, but to those of other faiths and traditions and those that have no personal beliefs. Over the years the vast audiences the play has attracted stand as testimony to that fact. That it takes place in a world-famous space at the heart of the capital speaks much for the tolerance and diversity that is found in London.”
Directed by theatre producer and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Guildford School of Acting, Ashley Herman, and starring the actor and artist James Burke-Dunsmore as Jesus, the rest of the company is made up of volunteer actors and stage crew from in and around London and the South East.
The Passion's Christian message embraces all denominations and this is highlighted by the active and continued involvement of the Bible Society, as well as two of the country's principal Church leaders, The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster and the Bishop of London.
The Wintershall Players will be also be performing the extraordinary five hour Life of Christ at the Wintershall Estate in Surrey from the 20-24 June and the now-famous Wintershall Nativity in December.
For further press information please contact:
Katherine Camps Kilgour at Bright Media – 01621 784777 or 07958 649502
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
The Passion of Jesus, Trafalgar Square
Date: Friday 14th April 2017
Times: 12 noon & 3.15 pm
Tickets: Free admission
Please note: This is an open air event so clothing appropriate for the forecasted weather conditions should be worn. This performance contains a realistic interpretation of the crucifixion. Parental guidance is advised.
Big screens are used so wherever you are you can see and hear the acting.
BSL interpreters will be available for both London performances.
Notes to Editors:
The Wintershall Estate, in the heart of the Surrey countryside, is privately owned and comprises park land and a farm. Peter and Ann Hutley have lived at Wintershall for nearly 50 years and under their stewardship, the estate has expanded into a haven for wildlife, mature woodland and farmland. It is also the home of the theatrical productions of The Life of Christ and The Wintershall Nativity.
The Wintershall production The Life of Christ was written and adapted from the bible by Peter Hutley to mark the Millennium. Staged as a one-off production in 1999, it has been performed every year since. Production of the great Wintershall religious plays performed in Surrey and London has been passed to the next generation of the Hutley family, ensuring that the tradition stays alive. Now 90 years old, he has passed the baton to his daughter Charlotte.
In 2004, Peter received an MBE for services to the community, and was appointed a Knight of the Order of Saint Gregory, while his wife Ann was made a Dame. In 2012 Peter was awarded an OBE for services to Christian understanding.
www.wintershall-estate.com
