ON Good Friday (April 14) over 100 costumed performers will present The Tavistock Passion in the town centre.

This community play tells the story of the first Easter, weaving in new music.

It starts at 11am and lasts for around 80 minutes, with the audience following the action to open air scenes set against the town hall, guildhall and parish church. Bedford Square and the Guildhall Car Park will be closed for the morning, with traffic diversions signed.

Producer Steven Martin said: ‘We are very grateful to everyone who has made this unique event possible. Thanks to generous grants and individual gifts, the event is free to watch and open to everyone, with any donations on the day going to two local charities.

The play, based on the gospel stories, has been scripted by and directed by David Stranks, who hopes that ‘seeing this perhaps familiar story re-enacted on the streets of our town will bring a whole new dimension — its drama and passion.’

The cast are all local volunteers, with the central role of Jesus played by Billy Allen, recently a Mount Kelly student.

Martin Pendle, an engineer and ex Royal Navy officer, is Peter — the friend whose courage is tested to breaking point. Jeff Moles, formerly the Methodist minister in Tavistock, represents Roman power as Pontius Pilate, and David Turner takes time off from his town crier role to play scheming local leader Caiaphas.

With a dozen more speaking parts and a crowd who take a big part in the action, rehearsals have been busy.

Andrew Wilson, director of studies at the National College of Music in London, who lives in Tavistock, composed the accompanying music.

This is its premiere public performance, by a brass quintet and a choir which has come together for the production. A listener to a rehearsal described it as ‘extraordinarily moving’.

The play will be British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted. While families are welcome, parental guidance is advised as it portrays the crucifixion.

The project is led by St Eustachius’ Parish Church, with encouragement from other churches through Tavistock Area Christians Together (TACT), and support across the local community.

St Luke’s Hospice and the Mary Budding Trust (a Tavistock charity assisting disabled children) will be collecting donations on the day.

More details about the event and wet weather plans can be found at www.tavistockparishchurch.org.uk/tavistock-passion

See the advert on page 9 of the April 6 edition of the Times.