On Good Friday, the streets of Gloucester will once again transform into a stage for a powerful reenactment of Christ’s final hours in a play called ‘The Way of the Cross’.
‘It’s an open-air performance written and directed by Rachel Forrest, the vicar of Holy Trinity, Longlevens.
Rachel said: “We are telling the story of what happened to Jesus. Easter is a fun time with chocolate and Easter eggs, but there is also pain, suffering, generosity and sacrifice. It’s important that we tell that story in the lead up to Easter as well.
“Jesus came as part of God, ministered for three years, healed, and taught about God’s love. He was rejected, put to death on the cross, and then rose again. It’s not a story of tragedy but of redemption and hope. That’s the Easter promise. It’s the ultimate story, and that’s why we tell it.”
This year will see the addition of The Ermine Street Guard, who are professional Roman soldier re-enactors.
Churches across the diocese contribute to the performance which depicts the last hours of Christ’s life, from his sentencing by Pilate to his crucifixion, which will unfold outside the Cathedral.
In 2024, ‘The Way of the Cross’ drew widespread attention, becoming the top story on BBC Points West.
“Many spectators come with little or no understanding of Good Friday, while others find themselves deeply moved by the portrayal. For the cast, who have been rehearsing every Sunday throughout Lent, the experience is a spiritual journey, strengthening their personal connection to the story they are telling,” Rachel said.
During rehearsals, a professional actor works with the performers, helping them with improvisation and working with each-other. Much of the performance is ad-libbed, responding to the dynamics of the crowd and the setting.
“The crucifixion scene is unseen by the cast until the actual performance. I rehearse that privately with the Roman soldiers and the actor playing Jesus,” Rachel said.
“It’s powerful for everyone. I am very clear with the cast that, when we step out of the Cathedral for the start of the reenactment, we are in 1st century Palestine. It is quite graphic, but Good Friday was graphic too.”
The performance starts at 11am on Friday 18 April, beginning outside the Cathedral and going out onto the streets of Gloucester, before returning to the Cathedral for the final cruxifixction scene, finishing just before 12pm.
Rachel said: “I feel incredibly humbled and grateful to do this again. Every year it seems to grow.”
News Hub
When you say it finishes at 12pm do you mean noon or midnight?
Hi Andrew, this is 12 noon
Is it possible to produce a route map, so families can participate when the actors process? That cd be e-mailed to Gloucester church congregations ia Wardens.
Necessary as some folk cannot travel with the processional actors and crowd.
Thanks Carole, I’ll pass your idea for a route map on to Rachel