Sixth Form's 'Passion Play' 2024

The performance of the Passion of Christ that closed the Lent term was accomplished by our talented Sixth Form year group. The play recalls the final days of Jesus’ life – from his entry into Jerusalem, to his crucifixion five days later – and all of the complex plotting, political side-stepping and betrayal that facilitated Jesus’ downfall. The Passion Play is a moving story that required a deep intensity and thoughtfulness, which the Sixth Form delivered. The production was performed to a predominantly standing audience and in a highly immersive way with the story unravelling all over the Hall and on the stage too.

The play was led by a humble yet convincing Jesus, whose authority lay not in his anger but in his calm acceptance and tiredness of a man facing great opposition. The cold attitude of the High Council contrasted starkly with the compassionate nature of Jesus’ character and Caiaphas’ venom throughout the play created an uneasy atmosphere which eventually lured Judas into committing the ultimate betrayal. Judas was portrayed as a deceptive, unfaithful man who was also ignorant of the consequences of his actions.

The dynamic script was redesigned last year to include developing the role of women in the play and addressed any anti-Semitic issues by including elements which show the beauty and importance of the Jewish religion within the Passion story, through words and song.

"It was a really meaningful and memorable experience for our child to be part of this play, from start the finish. We are really grateful for the opportunity he had to perform, and use his voice in public, and hope that he’ll embrace those things again."

"I was struck for the first time just how current the mob rule/disinformation/conspiracy theory elements of the story are - for all that the key elements of the story are foretold in the Old Testament, it is essentially a story of power, insecurity, greed and fear that is as old as time."