THE village of Bere Ferrers was inspired by the success of the Passion Play, performed in four parts over Holy Week, part of which was filmed for BBC Spotlight. Held as part of the 750th parish anniversary celebrations, the play involved more than 50 residents of the village and peninsula. On Palm Sunday, costumed cast members re- enacted the entry of Jesus and his followers into Jerusalem, processing from the church hall amid a palm-waving, noisy crowd to the quay for the first interaction, then to the area near the war memorial where Jesus spectacularly overturned the tables of the traders and moneylenders at the temple. The final section was performed in the church, where the high priests plotted the downfall of Jesus. A large number of people accompanied the procession and the church was full for the short service afterwards Part two of the Passion Play on Maundy Thursday saw approximately 75 villagers pack the church hall to take part in the Last Supper. After an initial scene where Jesus washed the feet of disciple Peter, everyone shared in the simple meal of lamb, bread, fruit and wine before going outside to witness the Garden of Gethsemane scene, lit by flares and moonlight. After Jesus's betrayal and arrest, he was taken through the village to the church once more for the final act that day. During the Thursday afternoon, part of the play had been filmed by a BBC Spotlight crew and rector the Rev Nick Law, and director Carolyn Gentle were interviewed for the evening's programme. The rector was playing Jesus by default as no-one had come forward to do so, but said he found the experience wonderful and rewarding. The church was filled to capacity on Good Friday afternoon for the trial and execution of Jesus. The moving portrayal, involving participation by all present when Pilate asked whom he should free, saw Jesus tried and flogged before finally being crucified. The crucifixion was depicted on a screen in front of the altar and the scene ended with an extract from Bach's St Matthew Passion. On Easter Sunday the beautifully decorated church — where an impressive tomb scene had been created in the north transept — was once more full for the final part of the play, the Resurrection, giving its message of hope to all present. There was then a service of holy communion led by the rector and reader Sheila Gay, with organist Ann Parsons. The Passion Play, originally inspired by a passing comment by the rector, exceeded everyone's expectations. It was something of a miracle in itself that the weather for the outdoor parts of the play had been so good, despite gloomy forecasts. Christine Fine was presented with a bouquet in recognition of her dedication to and belief in the play. Christine had adapted an old Oberammergau script, found by the rector's wife in her mother's home. The cast was Jean and Roger White, Ann and Ian Parsons, Sally and Jan Newell Price, Diana Mitchell, Nick, Val and James Law, Jane Hamlyn, Eleanor Ralph, Ann Jeffries, Clive Charlton, Kye and Robin Holiday, Jon Todd, Harry and Margaret Davies, Frances Howard, Graham Fine, Angela Hooper, Rose and Peter Key, Steve and Dee Rickhard, Dave Munn, Margaret Willmott, Cherry Stratton, Christine Grills, Tilley and Marcel Kelly, Robin Eastwood, Vic Martin, Norman and Sheila Gay, Paul Gentle, Robin Musgrave, Karen Auborn, Karen Lintern and Mary Barnaby. Carolyn Gentle was director; Christine Fine script writer and deputy director; costumes were made by Monica Mitchell, Jane Hamlyn, Joyce Peden and Helena Rogers; props provided by Kate Harman, Carolyn Clark, Nelson Bowden and Norman Gay; lighting by Steve Jackson; special effects by Sally Baxter; the tomb was created by Graham Fine, Nelson Bowden and their team; publicity by Sarah Maiden.
