NEW PASSION PLAY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1930, Page 2

NEW PASSION PLAY

PRODUCTION IN LONDON. " CHOOSING THE PLAYERS. Plans for the production of a Passion play in London, similar to that at Oberammergau, are afoot in England. Mr Alfred Denville, who is making preliminary inquiries into the possibility of the production, stated on September 16, says the “Manchester Guardian”, that the part of Christ wmuld probably be played by someone selected by high ecclesiastical authorities. “I have in mind a lay brother of the Church,” Mr Denville said, “of some student of divinity, I don’t propose that the name of Christ or the Virgin Mflry should be mentioned at all or where they come from or to which religious body they belong, It must all be wrapped in mystery. The Christ does, not need to act, He just speaks his lines in a perfectly natural way. He must be a wonderful figure who simply dominates the scene by his appearance, An actor could not do it. He would want to act —to show emotion,

“The lesser parts would be played by professional actors, and the crowds recruited from amateur dramatic societies, It will need a thousand people at least, and the policy I have in mind is that there shall be no profit made out of the pageant, If there is a surplus it will go to charity. A Cathedral Atmosphere,

“For English purposes,” Mr Denville explained “the play would have to be shown in three to four hours. It would be more crisp than at Oberammergau, and poor people would have a chance of seeing what is now only possible for the wealthy. There is no

question of bringing over the Bavarians. The text of the New Testament would be largely used, for it is wonderfully complete. Special music would be composed, and everything done reverently.

“The great thing is to avoid anything artificial. If the production takes place in a London theatre, the whole atmosphere of the theatre will have to go, There would be no bar, no smoking, and no uniformed attendants, Everything possible would be done to create a cathedral atmosphere. If it is played in the open air at some place like Marlborough or Stratford-on-Avon, things must be decided quickly, for half the village must start growing beards. The Lord Chamberlain’s license is only needed if the play takes place within four walls. The Savour can be depicted in the open nir without restriction, Not an Entertainment.

“T do not think that there will be any active opposition from the religions side of the country. According to all the signs, a religious revival is due. and such a play would probably do more for religion than anything else. It would probably create a wave of religious fervour like “The Sign of the Cross” did twenty or more years ago.

“Every endeavour will be made not to offend the susceptibilities of the .Tews. The main thing we want to get is the Christian story and the drama of that wonderful crucifixion. It must be treated as a religious pageant, not an enteitainment, and must be thoughc of like Handel’s ‘Messiah’ ”

Mr Denville has produced similar pageants before, including “Joseph and His Brethren” and “The Miracle”. Julv next year is the provisional date for the new pageant.