GOOD Friday in Bishop Auckland will finally mark the big reveal of a production that’s been four years in the making.

In the build up to Friday, April 15, the cast of the Passion Play will be gearing up to unveil their big plans in the Bishop Auckland Market place after enduring two lockdowns and countless cast changes.

A cast of more than 50 and a backstage team of more than 30 drawn from Bishop Auckland and surrounding areas will perform ‘Don’t Panic, All will be revealed!’ - the true story of Easter in two performances at 12 noon and 3 pm on Good Friday.

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Originally conceived as an idea in 2017, following a visit to the Wintershall production in Trafalgar Square, Passion Play Bishop Auckland (PPBA) became part of the Wintershall group of passion plays performed nationally on Good Friday under the umbrella name ‘One Good Friday’ and planned its first performance in 2020.

The performance for 2020 had to be shelved due to the pandemic and was rescheduled for 2021. Although, 2021 also had to be shelved once again because of the pandemic.

Due to the massive commitment of the performance team and support from across the region, the cast are now looking forward to performing the passion play twice on Good Friday 2022.

The Northern Echo: Jesus (Paul Taphouse) rehearses the crucifixion in Bishop Auckland Market Place with Rev Canon Eileen Harrop (L), Performance Director Sam Bradshaw (C), Rachael Masters (R) and members of cast and crew..Jesus (Paul Taphouse) rehearses the crucifixion in Bishop Auckland Market Place with Rev Canon Eileen Harrop (L), Performance Director Sam Bradshaw (C), Rachael Masters (R) and members of cast and crew..

Performance Producer the Revd Canon Eileen Harrop said: “In an attempt to recognise the struggles we have faced during the pandemic and to celebrate the true revealing nature of the Easter story, the 2022 performance has been titled: ‘Don’t Panic - All Will Be Revealed!’.

“The name derives from the idea of Jesus’ tomb being revealed to be empty on Easter Sunday and Jesus revealing himself to Mary and the Disciples. It also refers to Revealing the true story of Easter, as for many, Easter is more about chocolate and Easter bunnies.”

The first performance at 12 noon will be opened by the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Sue Snowdon, and will be closed by the Rt Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham, whilst the second performance at 3pm will have Bishop Auckland MP Dehenna Davidson and will be closed by Canon Father Dennis Tindall of St Mary & St Winifrid, Bishop Auckland.

The Northern Echo: Jesus (Paul Taphouse) rehearses the crucifixion in Bishop Auckland Market Place with Rev Canon Eileen Harrop (L) and Rachael Masters (R).Jesus (Paul Taphouse) rehearses the crucifixion in Bishop Auckland Market Place with Rev Canon Eileen Harrop (L) and Rachael Masters (R).

Along with a town in the South of England, the Bishop Auckland Performance will be the only passion play in the North of England being performed under the One Good Friday umbrella in 2022.

Chair of PPBA and originator of the idea, Rachael Masters, said: “The cast and performance team is drawn from the whole community, not just Churches. It represents a community effort and as such is in the spirit of bringing new life and vitality to Bishop Auckland as it goes through its own regeneration and reveal.

“All members of the team are volunteers, giving their time and skills freely to realise the performance. They work mainly through other volunteers, but where additional resources are needed, they use a small group of local businesses to supplement their already formidable talents.

The Northern Echo: Jesus (Paul Taphouse) rehearses the crucifixion in Bishop Auckland Market Place with Rev Canon Eileen Harrop (L), Performance Director Sam Bradshaw (C) and Rachael Masters (R).Jesus (Paul Taphouse) rehearses the crucifixion in Bishop Auckland Market Place with Rev Canon Eileen Harrop (L), Performance Director Sam Bradshaw (C) and Rachael Masters (R).

“An example of this spirit of collaboration is demonstrated by the performance standing out from others by having its own original music score composed by local musician Stephen Johnson.

“Stephen was commissioned to compose and produce a musical score passion play a symphonic depiction of the crucifixion of Christ. He used his work on the score as part of his degree earning himself a 1st for the magnificent work.

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