Since its first performance in 2010, Wintershall has presented The Passion of Jesus in Trafalgar Square on Good Friday. The awe-inspiring full-scale re-enactment of The Passion quickly became a highly anticipated London Easter fixture.
The story commemorating the day Jesus was arrested, tried and crucified by the Romans, before miraculously rising from the dead on Easter Sunday, is brought to life by a cast of over a hundred, dressed in full costume, along with horses, doves and a donkey.
Secondary school teacher and trained actor Peter Bergin will be playing Jesus for the first time, having understudied the role twice before.
Peter Bergin said, “I am very much looking forward to sharing the story of The Passion of Jesus with the crowds that come to watch, not least because the audience will include friends, colleagues and students who might not be as familiar with the story of Jesus and his teachings. I hope that they enjoy the opportunity to be present with God. As for any worries, I’m just praying for sunshine!”
Wintershall producer, Charlotte de Klee said: “All of us are so excited to see what Peter will bring to the role of Jesus in the Wintershall Passion. This play belongs to London and speaks not only to those of the Christian faith, but to those of other faiths and traditions and those that have no personal beliefs. Over the years the vast audiences the play has attracted stand as testimony to that fact. That it takes place in a world-famous space at the heart of the capital speaks much for the tolerance and diversity that is found in London.”
The rest of the Wintershall company is made up of volunteer actors and stage crew from in and around London and the South East.
Featuring realistic scenes and a moving crucifixion and resurrection, The Passion of Jesus is an unforgettable Easter experience, embracing those of all faiths and none.
Supported by the Mayor of London, the open-air production, performed in the shadow of the National Gallery, regularly attracts more than 20,000 people to its two performances.
This year, The Passion will be performed at 12 noon and 3:15pm. Both will be livestreamed via Facebook (www.facebook.com/Wintershallplay) and will subsequently be available to watch on Wintershall’s YouTube channel ( www.youtube.com/user/wintershallplayers).
2023 will see the Wintershall Passion performed in both Worcester and Edinburgh and Wintershall are committed to helping other towns and cities across the UK to stage The Passion as part of their One Good Friday project, created to tell the story of Easter to a new audience.
The Passion play in London is directed by Ashley Herman and produced by Charlotte de Klee. The Wintershall Cast are famous for their epic re-enactments of stories from the Scriptures. They also perform the extraordinary Life of Christ at the Wintershall Estate in Surrey every June (27 June – 1 July 2023) and the now-famous Wintershall Nativity each Christmas (13-18 December 2023).
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “The Passion of Jesus has brought the Easter story to life in Trafalgar Square for the last 12 years and brings together thousands of people from all walks of life and backgrounds for an unforgettable Easter experience. This unique event allows everyone to celebrate our capital’s tolerance and diversity and inspires us to continue to work towards a fairer and better London for all.”
