Originated by the local Dutch Reformed Church, the Passion Play is a joint venture between the Lady Grey Arts Academy, the Dutch Reformed Church and the community of Lady Grey to spread the Gospel in a very special way. Its unique feature is the combination of various arts disciplines to tell the story. It goes without saying that Drama and Acting is involved, but that is not all. The Altech Conce
rt Choir also performs a number of sacred choral works, appropriate to particular moments in the play (Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, selections from Mozart’s Requiem and other classical and contemporary choral pieces). During the course of the Passion Play, audiences have the opportunity to see classical ballet as well as more modern dancing as part of the narrative. Throughout the production, fine art is also utilised to enhance the themes and emotion of the play. With a cast of roughly 160 performers, this three-day production over Easter weekend takes place in various venues and at various locales in and around the picturesque town of Lady Grey. The cast members are all members of the Lady Grey community, including teachers, farmers, business people, pensioners and all other walks of life, as well as learners from the prestigious Lady Grey Arts Academy. During the years it has grown from strength to strength. What started as a relatively small production, with an audience of approximately 100, has grown into a semi-professional production, attracting hundreds of people from all over the country to Lady Grey during Easter Weekend. The complete production is community-based and is planned, performed and directed by voluntary members of the Lady Grey community. Most of the costumes and props are locally-made, relying on members of the community to assist in this enormous task. The Passion Play starts on Good Friday at 14:00 and only ends on Easter Sunday. The epic history unfolds in three main parts over the three days that it takes to perform the entire script: the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah, Christ’s early life and the start of his ministry; Christ’s miracles, teachings, capture and death; Christ’s resurrection, ascension and the founding of the early church. About 600 visitors are expected to descend on Lady Grey from 6 – 8 April 2012 to see this truly unique production, aimed at exposing as many people as possible to the joy of Easter Weekend. Visitors are challenged to become part of the action by dressing up in period costume, and participating in responses and symbolic actions during the course of the performances.
