Duncan Rennie as Jesus in a political context.Duncan Rennie as Jesus in a political context.

It’s 50 years since Malta became an independent state, but for Scotland, independence still hangs in the balance, with a referendum planned for September. Against that political backdrop, a new Easter theatrical piece is about to debut in Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Passion Play casts Jesus in the role of a radical on the eve of a referendum.

Passion plays are an ancient tradition and depict the final weeks of Christ’s life. In Edinburgh, just as in Malta, the play is often held in the open air with local people appearing as actors and extras to an unticketed audience.

Veteran director Suzanne Lofthus explains how the ultra-modern twist of the Edinburgh play brings a new relevance to the familiar Easter story. “Having done the traditional version for many years, I felt that people were enjoying the story and spectacle, but not really getting any further forward in the idea that Jesus was relevant to today,” she explains. “The premise of this play was, ‘What would it be like if Jesus were around? Who would his friends be? His enemies? What would he do?’”

In playwright Rob Drummond’s production, Jesus’s popularity with the media brings him into direct conflict with Herod, a politician who will stop at nothing to win a referendum that consolidates his own power and maintains the status quo. Jesus finds himself at the mercy of Herod’s ruthless spin doctor, McKayfus, who casts Christ as an insurgent, meaning he could face the death penalty.

The play is set in Princes Street Gardens against the brooding backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, the majestic former seat of power in the Scottish capital. It’s the perfect location because, Lofthus says: “This play is modern and death is by lethal injection. The juxtaposition of grit and death and the beauty of the castle and the gardens is one we deliberately choose to play on.”

Lofthus expects an audience in excess of 4,500 people to attend this year and is fully aware that the play will be polarising.

“I think the reaction will be mixed. People do not expect to see Jesus or a religious play in that kind of setting.”

But despite the politically hot topic, Lofthus insists that the play takes no sides in the independence referendum process.

“We deliberately avoid connecting Jesus to any political view. In fact, he states throughout the play that he does not have a view and doesn’t do politics. The main message is of Jesus cutting through a broken society and bringing the option of a new way to live.”

Playwright Drummond says it’s very important that it’s not an advert for the Yes or No campaign. The story is set in the midst of a referendum, just for modern reference.

He adds: “The politics are all there in the Bible. Herod wants to cling on to power, he is under a lot of pressure from Rome to keep control of his area. Then [Jesus] comes in and shakes things up. He’s preaching tolerance and peace but he’s branded as a troublemaker. [Herod’s] motives for having Jesus killed are very political. We all think we know the story, but it’s only when you read the source materials that you realise how relevant a lot of the politics are.”

Lofthus says that it’s about re-energising the Christian message for a mixed audience. “We live in a world that is desperately seeking truth and Jesus brings that. We live in a Biblically-illiterate society, so it’s good to let people at least hear the story so they can make up their own minds. As Christianity is slowly becoming marginalised, people aren’t even being given the opportunity to hear about Jesus. This is a non-threatening way to present the message.”

The passion play casts Jesus in the role of a radical on the eve of a referendum

Reaction from the Church itself has been mixed. “I would say initially we had a lot of support from churches in Edinburgh and there are a lot of churches who still support us financially and with practical help,” says Lofthus.

However, she adds: “I do think that the Church in general only sees it as a play and not as a way of communicating the Christian message. That’s very frustrating for me as a Christian director and I will spend my life trying to change that. One of the things I love about the play is that there are over 100 volunteers from different backgrounds and denominations, some with no faith at all, working together to present the story of Christ. Now, that is the Church in action.”

Lofthus says that tourists are very welcome to watch the play. It’s staged annually and this year’s performance will be on April 19. “We get many visitors attending. There is a programme that helps with understanding the context, but the play is strong enough to be understood in any language.”

Her parting message for the audience is this: “Jesus has so much to say to us today. So much is relevant. We forget how radical he was. We no longer know who to believe, but Jesus cuts through all of that and brings truth, love, acceptance and change for good. His message to love our neighbours would stand us in good stead if we adhered to that today.”

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