Final Rehearsals for Tonbridge Passion Play

The cast of the Tonbridge Passion Play braved sub zero temperatures to rehearse at Tonbridge Castle this afternoon. These guys really have to be admired for their enthusiasm and dedication as the wind chill factor was positively arctic.

It was all looking very professional and sounding good as Tom Holland who is playing Jesus projected his strong voice around the Castle Lawn. I also caught my first glimpse of the enormous cross built by carpentry students at the West Kent YMCA designed to bear the weight of the 6ft 4in Jesus. Impressive!

There will be one performance only on Good Friday, and this will start from St. Peter and St. Paul Church (Parish Church) at 10.20am, with a procession to Tonbridge Castle where the play will begin at 10.30am, in front of the audience on Castle Lawn.

This is the first ever Passion Play to be set in Kent and it is going to happen in our town, so please go along and support the event.  Remember to take your camera and wrap up warm. This is not to be missed!!! Just think you will be able to say you were there at the very beginning ... when Tonbridge started a new tradition.

Tonbridge will host Kent's first Passion Play this Easter

This Easter Tonbridge will host Kent’s first-ever Passion Play in an ambitious and free community project involving nearly 100 local people of all ages and backgrounds.

The story of the death and resurrection of Jesus, beginning with his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, takes place in front of Tonbridge Castle on the morning of Good Friday, 29 March. 

Directed by Helen Longley and working with Tonbridge Area Churches Together (TACT), the part of Jesus is being taken on by young Tom Holland, 23, a former Hugh Christie Technology College student from Tunbridge Wells.

Leading a donkey called Guinness and followed by a costumed cast where many of the actors are under 30, Tom will make his entrance through the Castle Gateway where he will be greeted by local primary school children singing his praise. The action continues on the tarmac in front of the Castle, the Lawns below providing a natural amphitheatre for the audience to gather and watch the powerful story unfold.

As well as the actors, who have been rehearsing all year at Tonbridge Baptist Church, many behind-the-scenes talents have been involved, including professional sound, music and set building – not least an impressive cross built by carpentry students at the West Kent YMCA designed to bear the weight of a 6ft 4in Jesus.

There will be one performance which takes place on Good Friday (March 29), starting from St. Peter and St. Paul at 10.20am and processing to Tonbridge Castle where the play will commence at 10.30am in front of the audience on Castle Lawn.

Further information on www.tonbridgepassionplay2013  and   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tonbridge-Passion-Play-2013/470036106363590