The Hobart Archdiocese has brought The Passion of Christ to the stage, with its theatrical production, No Greater Love.
Held at the Don Bosco Creative Arts Centre in Glenorchy on March 28, the play was the first of its kind in the archdiocese – on such a large scale, with the cast and crew involved coming from multiple parishes.
The one-hour play depicted the Agony in the Garden, the Scourging at the Pillar and the Crucifixion, among other episodes from the Gospels.
Music was performed by a choir between scenes, with light and smoke also used to enhance the atmosphere and set the mood.
Hobart Archdiocese Vicar General, Fr Shammi Perera, who wrote and directed the play, expressed his gratitude for all involved in the production.
“I’m truly grateful for each one of them. They have given their one hundred percent for the Lord right from the day they said yes to this task,” Fr Perera said.
“This wasn’t simply a theatrical performance – right from the beginning I told the cast and crew that this production was a spiritual journey that we would undertake, and it has been that.
“We encountered the Lord in powerful ways, right throughout the training sessions and practices.
“The Passion, death and Resurrection is the most immense story of God’s love for us, and to be a part of that with these wonderful people was a real blessing to me,” he said.
Gabriel MacFarlane, who played Jesus, said the Passion has always held deep meaning for him, adding that playing the role of Jesus was a privilege and an honour.
He said that as he has become older, he has realised that the power and grace in his life, the ability to experience transformation in faith and love, all come from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“It is the pinnacle of God’s love story for us, as a collective, and for me individually. Christ was there for me, and the Easter story is about Christ coming to save me.”
A second performance of No Greater Love will be held at the centre on Friday.
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‘No Greater Love’: Christ’s passion brought to life (By Josh Low, Hobart Archdiocese)
