Passion Trust


The Passion Trust is a registered charity that supports the resurgence of Passion Plays in the United Kingdom. It attracts directors, producers, artists and organisations across the UK who are interested in live, open-air productions of the Passion. Its aim is to keep alive the story-telling heritage of dramatic re-enactments of the Easter story. Passion Plays take place in over 50 different locations in the UK, each adapted to the local community and the volunteers who perform and produce the plays.


History

The Passion Trust was established in 2011 to support Passion Plays taking place in the UK, and acts as a centre for resourcing, financing and equipping community performances to keep the dramatic, story-telling heritage of religious drama alive for future generations.[1] It also advocates for public drama through local and national media.

Trustees and supporters of the Passion Trust have been involved in Passion Plays all over the world, from Australia to Cape Town, as well as Passion Plays performed by prisoners in jails including Louisiana State Penitentiary (2012) [2] where seventy-five inmates at Angola Prison and Louisiana Correctional Institution for Women (LCIW) came together to put on a performance of the Passion. The performance was the subject of a documentary that shows scenes from the daily lives of the inmates together with scenes from the play that is performed in the prison grounds.[3] Other Passion Plays in prisons include those performed in HM Prison Greenock in Glasgow and jails in Milan and Brazil where Jesus was crucified on the prison bars. [4]


The Passion Trust connects UK Passion Plays with Europassion, a large European organisation that promotes Passion Plays in Europe. [5] Established in 1982, this umbrella organisation draws together Passion Play communities from countries all over Europe, some of which have been performing their plays for hundreds of years. Over 80 Passion groups from 16 countries are represented there. [6]

According to Mons. Fausto Panfili, the Chaplain of the Europassion:

The experience of the Europassion constantly lets us experience a so far unexplored pathway, so that we can continue to grow. Surmounting a self-referred vision of our own experience obligates us to confront a regional, national, European and universal horizon. That is why a new vision, not fragmentary, is necessary. Unity doesn’t mean uniformity. A spiritual energy, stronger and more attentive to cultural elaboration, a more evident solidarity in order to be recognised as bearers of hope, to help the people and communities grow.[7]

Activity

The Passion Trust hosts an annual conference attended by actors, arts practitioners, producers, directors, fundraisers and journalists.[8] It also disseminates information for people starting new Passion Plays or wanting to develop existing plays, including script-writing, fund-raising, working with local councils and engaging with local communities.[9]

Keynote speakers at Passion Trust conferences include:

  • Israel Oyelumade. Oyelumade played Jesus in Winchester's Passion Play in 2006 and is currently head of Character Development for Love Beyond, a musical based on the Bible story with vocal performances from West End stars and one of the biggest live orchestras of any musical theatre show in London.[10]
  • James Burke-Dunsmore. Burke-Dunsmore is a writer, director and actor who has played Jesus for over 17 years. He regularly performs in Trafalgar Square, Guildford and Wintershall.[11]
  • Sir Jack Stewart-Clark. Sir Jack facilitates Passion Plays in Scotland and internationally, most notably in Louisiana State Penitentiary [12] and in Rwanda.
  • Suzanne Lofthus. Lofthus is a director with years of experience directing Passion Plays in local communities and in prisons. She recently directed the Edinburgh Passion Play which was described in The Scotsman as 'strikingly well-choreographed production'.[13]

The Passion Trust also develops and disseminates important resources for people starting new Passion Plays or wanting to develop existing plays, including advice with script-writing, fund-raising, working with local councils and engaging with local communities.[14]


References
  1. 'Passion Trust', Passion Trust, www.passiontrust.org
  2. D., C. (15 May 2012). "A Passion Play in Prison: Acting Forgiveness and Redemption". The Economist. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  3. 'Cast the First Stone: Film background', Cast the First Stone, https://castthefirststone-themovie.com/cast-the-first-stone-film-background/
  4. 'The Benefits of his Passion in Prison', Church Times, https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2017/31-march/features/features/the-benefits-of-his-passion-in-prisons
  5. Europassion, http://www.europassion.net/
  6. Europassion, http://www.europassion.net/
  7. "Salutation". Europassion.
  8. Bruce-Mills, Anita. "James Burke-Dunsmore: Performing the Gospel poorly would be a huge disservice". Christianity Today. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  9. "Support & Resources". Passion Trust. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  10. "Character Development". Love Beyond. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  11. Twiston-Davies, David. "James Burke-Dunsmore, the actor who weaves his own thorny crown". Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  12. C.D. "Enacting forgiveness and redemption". Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  13. "Theatre Review: The Edinburgh Passion". Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  14. Passion Trust, www.passiontrust.org
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