Kendal's mayor will play Jesus in Passion Play (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Kendal's mayor will play Jesus in Passion Play

1:40pm Thursday 16th February 2012 in News By Scott Kirk, Reporter

KENDAL will play host to a performance of Biblical proportions this Easter.

More details of the town’s first Passion Play in 400 years have been released, including the actors assig-ned to play the major roles.

Town mayor Coun Jonathan Brook will play Jesus, with deputy mayor John Willshaw tackling the villainous role of the High Priest Caiaphas, who helped orchestrate the Crucifixion.

Director Chris Taylor said rehearsals were ‘very exciting’ with some ‘very good performances’.

“It’s going to be quite extraordinary and we’ve had huge support from the community,” said Mr Taylor. “This is the biggest show I have ever done on a personal level.”

Mr Taylor also outlined where the Passion Play action would be focused.

Banners will be put up around Kendal Library to represent a temple, and will provide the starting point on Good Friday at 4pm.

The play will be seen in Market Place and the top of Finkle Street, while the Birdcage will be converted into a jail. The trial of Jesus will take place at Kendal Town Hall, and the Brewery Arts Centre is the location of the Crucifixion, which will happen at around 6pm.

Then on Easter Saturday, a ‘fire sculpture’ will mark the Resurrection at Kendal Castle and a couple of scenes will take place at dusk.

Coun Brook, who has been growing a beard for the role of Jesus, said he was looking forward to the play, although he admitted feeling trepidation about the Crucifixion scene.

“I was exceedingly surprised to be chosen for the role. I’m used to standing in front of people and speaking but not so much the dramatic element – I’ve not acted since I was in the school play in the 1970s.”