Next year, a free outdoor event is returning to the centre of Chester to celebrate Easter. Taking place on Good Friday, the open-air community production is titled “Chester City Passion” and brings to life the story of Jesus with the help of local actors, musicians and singers.
The artistic director for the 2027 play, Matt Baker, has now put out a call for members of the community to get involved. Baker and his team are looking to cast key roles like Jesus’ mother, the thieves, Mary Magdalene, the priests, the disciples, Pontius Pilate and Herod, among others. As well as acting talent, the team needs singers to perform in the chorus and local musicians who can play hand-held instruments to provide a travelling soundtrack as the story unfolds.
Chester City Passion made its debut in 2016 and will continue its role next year as part of the run-up to the Chester Mystery Plays, which will return in 2028. The production is free and open to everyone and is founded on a partnership between Theatre in the Quarter, Chester Cathedral, Link Up, Churches Together in Chester and the Chester Mystery Plays.
Rehearsals and auditions for roles will begin in February next year, and those interested in participating can reach out to Natalie Nolan via email at [email protected].
The outdoor performance will take place at various landmark locations around the city on Friday 26 March. These include Chester Cathedral, Chester Cross and the city’s famous black-and-white Rows.