The Passion - Characters In order of appearance John Baptist (Andrew Green) Appears only in the first scene, to baptise Jesus Jesus (Andrew Barr) Massive part! Angel (Ruth Lusby) Present at the baptism of Jesus Blind Man (Paul Jenkins) Witness to Christ's entry into Jerusalem Poor Man (Adam Buxton) Witness to Christ's entry into Jerusalem Three Women Witness to Christ's entry into Jerusalem Philip (Martin Stickley) Disciple. Has lines only in Christ's entry into Jerusalem Peter (Steve Machin) Disciple. Main character in the Denial of Jesus Burgher Proclaims Jesus when he enters Jerusalem. Lines will probably be shared by a number of Burghers from the Company. Judas (David Kestell) Disciple and Christ's betrayer. Andrew (Tony Isherwood) Disciple. Has lines only in the Last Supper scene John (Paul Jenknis) Disciple. Disciples (7) The un-named disciples are needed for non-speaking parts in scenes such as the Last Supper. These are James (son of Zebedee), James (son of Alphaeus), Bartholemew, Thomas, Matthew, Thaddeus (also known as Judas son of James, or Lebbaeus) and Simon the Zealot (also known as Simon the Canaanite). Marcellus (Tom Brewster) Washes Jesus' feet at the Last Supper Knights Considerably more than walk-on parts, the Knights have a good deal to say and do, including having the longest scene - the Crucifixion - almost to themselves. In the darkest of moments, the Knights still manage to provide a little humour, though falling short of the pantomine style some of the characters had in The Nativity. For example, assigned as the workmen to erect the cross, their arguing about how to do it is timeless. Knight 1 (Rob Spray) is the foreman: Gives the orders Tricks the others in the drawing of lots Knight 2 (Tony Isherwood) is something of a henchman: Physically taking Jesus in the arrest scene Intimidating the Marys tending to Jesus after the scourging Forcing Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross Freely taunting Jesus, directly and indirectly Taking a lead in the practical details of the crucifixion - nailing, hoisting up, wedging upright Knight 3 (David Kestell) is the whinger of the outfit, seeing problems everywhere, presumably with much sucking of teeth: Points out Jesus is too weak to carry the cross Gets told to stop moaning, and is generally picked on by the other knights Moans they have little time to carry out the crucifixion before noon Moans the nail in Jesus' left hand won't hold Constantly moans about the weight Moans about the wobbly cross "You can't get the shims, mate..." Knight 4 (Martin Stickley) is the eagerest to get the job done Concerns himself with tools and paraphernalia Doesn't do any actual nailing Maintains detachment from the consequences of the actions, concentrating on doing the job in hand "Making the bullets for other people to fire" Malcus (Adam Buxton) Probably a named Knight, in addition to the other 4. Has his ear chopped off by Peter in a scuffle when Jesus is arrested, which is miraculously restored by Jesus. Cayphas (Richard Bray) The High Priest "Cayaphas". The spelling presumably comes from the York play on which The Passion is based. Contrives to have Jesus arrested and executed. Annas (Rod Petty) Side-kick of Cayphas Woman (Sandra Nightingale) Denounces Peter, and gives evidence at the Trial of Jesus Pilate (Rob Spray) Roman governor. Scene with his wife has some humour. Whether this is quite Basil and Sybil Fawlty remains to be seen, but it could be! Percula (Jenny Goldney) Wife of Pilate. Ambitious and power-hungry. Scene with Pilate has some humour. Whether this is quite Basil and Sybil Fawlty remains to be seen, but it could be! Barabbas (Paul Jenkins) Criminal released instead of Jesus Death (Andrew Green) Makes a brief appearance to take Judas Simon of Cyrene (Andrew Green) Carries Christ's cross on the road to Calvary Mary Mother (Rosemary Gentry) Mother of Jesus, appears towards the end of the play to mourn. Key link to the third play in the cycle, Doomsday, as this continues the story where The Passion leaves off. Mary Magdelene (Emma Wise) Mourns Jesus Mary Salome (Heather Buxton) Mourns Jesus Bag Lady (Special Guest!) Delivers the final monologue, similar to Death in The Nativity. Breathtakingly effective. The Company The entire company are called upon to greet the audience as they come in and join the action at various stages. There is less full company action than in The Nativity. Most of those with named parts will also take part as general members of the company. The Band The music in The Passion is mostly performed by the Band rather than the Company. There are fewer songs and more incidental music than in The Nativity, and the incidental music has a strong "early music" feel. We will be using a band line up as close to the original Home Service as we can. Key instruments in achieving this are keyboards, drums, electric guitar, bass, melodeon, violin, saxophone, trumpet and trombone. In addition, the early music numbers use instruments to suit this genre, including low reeds and recorders.