Youths from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Sacro Cuor) parish church, Sliema, are gearing up to stage a pageant on the Passion on Saturday, April 13.
Rehearsals have been taking place on a weekly basis over the past few months. The cast comprises about 40 youths aged between six and 30-something, backed by a 10-strong backstage crew. Most are from the parish itself with some from other parts of the island, including Gozo.
The script was written by two of the youths themselves, and following last year’s success, will include new scenes. It will again be directed by Robert Pulis, assisted by Tony Terribile. The scriptwriters had to use their imagination for some of the scenes as the Gospels do not offer a lot of detail for which they could develop dialogue, such as those where Jesus meets Herod and Veronica.
Meanwhile, other scenes, such as those involving Pontius Pilate, presented the director with logistical challenges.
The pageant starts at 7.30pm at the parish church and will pass through Dun Pawl Vella Street, Church Street, St John the Baptist Street, St Trofimu Street, and end back in the church.
The costumes are being kindly provided by Atturi Salesjani, the wardrobe is being managed by Joe Camilleri, while most of the props have been hand-made by the director himself.