West Cheltenham Community Passion Play 2024
What a weekend!
The West Cheltenham Community Passion Play 2024, #wccpp24, was planned as a roving outdoor performance retelling the last days of Jesus’ life, leading up to the crucifixion with scenes at key sites around Hesters Way on Good Friday, 29th March 2024.
The aim was to involve as many people from the local community as possible, drawing on and show-casing their skills and interests as well as providing opportunities for development and training.
The production was a collaboration between local churches and schools across the parish of West Cheltenham with the support of other local organisations. The hope is that this production would help to develop a positive sense of identity for the community; connecting and empowering people.
who was involved?
The West Cheltenham Community Passion Play was facilitated by the Parish of West Cheltenham and supported by a number of other local churches, schools and other organisations. Members of the core planning team were from Dean Close School, All Saints Academy and Hesters Way Primary School as well as St Mark’s Church, St Barnabas Church and the Seventh Day Adventists. Hesters Way Baptist Church, St Thomas More Catholic Church and St Mark’s Methodist Church have ‘championed’ the project within their congregations, aiding communication.
Local businesses and organisations also provided support, either financially or in kind through reduced cost provision of facilities, including the YMCA, Cheltenham Hackspace, PR Productions and DM Staging.
what next?
We are exploring opportunities beyond the production for people to remain involved, perhaps through a community choir or orchestra, or developing skills in sound engineering or stage management, or simply having the occasional reunion for anyone who took part!
We will also be providing opportunities for those who have been stirred by being involved in or simply coming to watch the Passion Play and who would like to explore the Christian faith further.
And who knows? If people are up for it, we may do another West Cheltenham Community Passion Play in future years!
keep in touch
If you have any questions, or would like to talk through anything related to the Passion Play or the Christian Faith, please contact Rev Janice Hamilton on 07749130323 or email janice.hamilton@westchelt.org.uk