KIDS GO FREE
great Don’t miss our family travel offer
Churches across Hamilton are uniting once again to bring the Easter story to life with their outdoor Passion play.
St John’s Parish, Hamilton Old Parish and Cadzow Parish will all take part in the 90-minute performance.
This year, the performance called Resurrection will be led by a professional actor in the role of Jesus, who will feature alongside people from the community.
Liz Blackman, the wife of Rev Ross Blackman from the Old Parish, has been working hard with the cast to get them ready for the performance.
She said: “Rehearsals are going really well so far. Everyone is really excited.
“We have a cast of over 50 people this year, whereas last year we only had a cast of 32.”
She continued: “They have all been working really hard and some of them who played smaller parts last year have bigger roles this year, which is exciting for them.”
Last year’s play brought over 300 people to the streets of Hamilton and Liz is hoping for an even better outcome this time.
She continued: “Fingers crossed we can get a bigger audience this year. I think the main difference this year is that it will be a 90-minute performance which will tell the full story from start to finish.”
This year’s production means there is the opportunity to see more events unfolding before the final crucifixion scene and to meet new characters, as well as familiar ones.
Caroline Goodship, who played Mary last year, will be reprising the role. She said: “Last year’s Passion play performance was our first, and we wanted to give a taste of the Easter Story. We had no idea we would provoke such a positive reaction.”
She added: “This year’s performance is richer in content and delves more deeply into the characters involved in the life of Christ, his betrayal and final resurrection.
“I am looking forward to reviving the role of Mary, mother of Jesus, once again.”
The churches of Hamilton have created a tradition of uniting together during Holy Week, each year rotating hosts. This year is the turn of Cadzow Parish Church, who say they are delighted to be hosting.
Holy Week services will begin on Palm Sunday (March 25) at 6.30pm and will continue from Monday to Friday at 7.30pm.
The build-up to the Passion play will also begin here, with nightly worships featuring a short monologue from different cast members.
More than 300 people took to the streets of Hamilton on Palm Sunday last year for the churches’ first performance that featured the Passion of Christ.
This year, the play will take place on Saturday, March 31, at the bottom cross, near Asda, at 2pm.
Rehearsals are going really well. Everyone is really excited