Passionate Men Wanted
Easter Passion Play call-out for male performers
A casting call for male performers to join the large-scale community Passion Play which will take place in the centre of Edinburgh on Easter weekend has been issued by its organisers.
Suzanne Lofthus, director of The Edinburgh Easter Play, says she is a few disciples short of a dozen ahead of the production in Princes Street Gardens West on Saturday 15 April 2017. She is also looking for young men to play soldiers.
Duncan Rennie as Jesus in rehearsal for The Edinburgh Passion (2014). Photo Jane Barlow
Lofthus said: “This year, we are doing a promenade Passion Play in period costume, set in the first century AD, so the gender balance needs to reflect how things were at the time.
“We’d like to hear from men who want to give it a go, or are looking for a bit of acting experience. We need people for both speaking and non-speaking parts.
“No experience is required, and you’ll be part of big, lively team of people from all walks of life. There are no auditions. The main thing we’re looking for is enthusiasm.”
Scots dialect
In past years the Easter story has attracted crowds of up to 4,500 to Princes Street Gardens. In 2014 the company staged The Edinburgh Passion, a contemporary take on the story by playwright Rob Drummond.
This will be the first time for six years that a traditional costumed Passion Play has been staged in the Gardens. In a new development this year, Kamala Maniam’s script has been adapted so that some of the characters speak in Scots dialect.
Lofthus said: “We want to get across the idea that the disciples were ordinary people, just like us. The story might have happened 2,000 years ago, but it has something to say to us in 21st century Scotland.”
Listings and contacts
Rehearsals
Gorgie Dalry Stenhouse Church, 190-192 Gorgie Road, EH11 2NX
Wednesdays, 7pm.
Anyone interested in being part of The Edinburgh Easter Play should email Suzanne Lofthus on cuttingedge21@btopenworld.com or simply turn up at one of the weekly rehearsals.
The Edinburgh Easter Play
Princes Street Gardens West, Princes Street, EH2 2HG
Saturday 15 April 2017, 2pm
ENDS
