Drama Kirk invites people to ‘day-by-day’ Passion Play

A Christian drama group is bringing the Easter story to life in an immersive new way.

The Hamilton Passion Play performance by Drama Kirk will dramatise the unfolding, day-by-day events throughout Holy Week leading to Easter Sunday.

It forms a key part of the town's joint Holy Week services, which begin on Palm Sunday, 24 March.

The Drama Kirk cast was recently visited by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, at Hamilton Old Parish Church, where both the rehearsals and performances are being held.

The play will explore the betrayal of Jesus on Wednesday and the Last Supper on Thursday, as well as exploring less-covered scenes.

One of these scenes is Black Saturday, the day after Jesus is crucified and before he is resurrected.

Director Liz Blackman said: "We've usually moved straight from the crucifixion to the resurrection, however with a nightly service, we needed to add to the story.

"This gave us an opportunity to explore how the disciples might have felt that day – knowing Jesus had gone, processing their feelings of loss, guilt and betrayal.

"Our passion play script doesn't have a scene for Saturday so we've used a short scene from Louise Scott's ‘Walk with the Word: Emmaus' which begins at the aftermath of the crucifixion.

"We added to it by giving the character of Peter, who had denied even knowing Jesus and yet goes on to become the rock on which the Christian church was built, room to explore his feelings.

"The scene is poignant and a welcome addition to our telling of the Easter story."

Alex MacLean will be the first local from the South Lanarkshire town to play Jesus – who is normally portrayed by a professional actor.

In previous years, he played the role of Judas, John, and a Roman soldier.

Commenting on taking on the role of Jesus, Mr MacLean said: "It's been a great experience for me both personally and in growing my own faith as I got the chance to explore Jesus not just as a leader but also as a man and explore the emotions and relationships that really bring his story and message to life.

"It's been great to work again alongside our director Liz and the amazing cast and crew at Drama Kirk, particularly as I've taken on this larger role, and a lot of hard work goes into really making these productions our own.

"I'm excited to experience this all coming together during Holy Week."

Scenes from ‘Journey through Easter' by Simon MacCallum, a script commissioned by Drama Kirk in 2021, will be performed nightly from Sunday 24 March to Saturday 30 March at Hamilton Old Parish Church and then at 7am on Easter Sunday 31 March.

Services will also be available on YouTube.