Caroline Moir’s script gave a modern voice to the 2,000 year-old story.

A Passion for Kendal was dramatic, witty at times, there were flashes of anger and the tension built perfectly as the action moved from each plot point across Kendal.

The drama heightened at Market Place (doubling as the Garden of Gethsemane) as Peter (Nigel Rice) told Jesus (Jonathan Brook) he’d stand beside him regardless. Judas (Stephen Lockwood) identifies Jesus to the Roman soldiers but does a runner, bursting through the crowds, distraught at his own treachery.

Accused of being a false prophet and leading others astray, Jesus is tried and Pontius Pilate (Jeff Thomas) offers to release him. Instead, the crowd outside the town hall bays for Barabbas to be freed. As Jesus is condemned his disciples sing a plaintive lament composed by Anne Pater with a lone violin accompaniment, played by Carol Davies.

Mary Magdala (Danielle Oliver) asks the soldiers why they mock Jesus so: “Because we can,” is the caustic reply.

The farther it progressed the darker the tale grew until Jesus collapses on Highgate to the beating drums of the Riversiders. Whipped, beaten, and exhausted, his uphill struggle strapped to the cross he could bear no longer.

The Crucifixion was on the steps of the Brewery Arts Centre garden where the enchanting Amabile Girls Choir with saxophonist David McGregor and woodwind players from the Westmorland Youth Orchestra injected the scene with Roland Fudge and Guy Wilson’s Mary’s Lament. And this is where something truly magical happened. There was an amazing transformation as soprano Rachel Little’s beautiful solo voice drifted across the grounds and the solemn and mournful atmosphere surrendered to a growing sense of calm and well-being.

Creativity was bursting out from every corner of Kendal's Medieval castle as the town's community play reached its finale. Using the ruins of the 12th Century fort as its backdrop the Passion of Kendal was able to muster a dramatic atmosphere for its production of the resurrection of Christ, on Easter Saturday evening.

With the sun setting behind them, all the actors spread around the historic ground circling the crowd in silence.

Symbolising the community spirit through a blaze of light, a sun and lamb shaped firework display was set off, bringing to an end the spectacular event which all ages enjoyed being a part of.

Adrian Mullen/Emma Lidiard