The drama of The Passion will be brought to life in Fordingbridge on Good Friday 15 April at 11am.

Churches Together in Fordingbridge and District, a collective of multi-denominational faith groups and churches in the local area, will perform The Easter Story on an open-air stage in St Mary’s churchyard.

The play will last about an hour, covering the story of the Last Supper through to the Crucifixion and Resurrection.

The drama is closely based on the Biblical narrative and has been especially written by Fordingbridge author, Jeremy Houghton-Brown, who is also involved as a producer.

Jeremy said: “The Easter Story has such an important message for us all, and an open-air drama takes the story to the people; so I thought ‘let’s be positive and do it now. This message of love and hope is for all people, wherever they are in life’s journey.”

The Rev Tom Burden, of the Avon Valley Parish, is working with Jeremy and will oversee the direction.

A cast of more than 50 local amateurs, all in costume, will be joined by musicians and a combined choir led by Canon Gary Philbrick, rector of Avon Valley Churches.

The play opens with The Last Supper and follows the arrest and trials of Jesus to their end.

The drama picks up the story, as told by the ‘ladies from Galilee’, as they work at home preparing the perfumed balms to anoint the body of Jesus in the tomb. This then leads naturally to the jubilation following the discovery at the tomb, on the very first Easter morning, that Jesus has risen from the dead.

All are welcome to The Easter Story – there will be no entrance charge. Free refreshments will also be available. If the weather is unkind, the play will be performed inside St Mary’s Church.