London Divine Calling: 20,000 worshippers pack Trafalgar Square for gruesome re-enactment of the crucifixion in annual ‘Passion of Jesus’ Easter play
- Company behind it said parental guidance is advised because of their ‘realistic interpretation of crucifixion’
- The same actor, James Burke-Dunsmore, has played Jesus in the now-famous depiction for 22 years
- London Mayor Sadiq Khan was also in attendance. He said: ‘The Passion of Jesus has captivated Londoners’
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Around 20,000 worshippers gathered in Trafalgar Square yesterday for the annual Passion of Jesus celebration, which depicts the Easter story.
The production’s cast is 100 people strong, along with real horses, doves and a donkey. For the past nine years, the Wintershall Cast have performed The Passion of Jesus in Trafalgar Square on Good Friday
The company behind it said parental guidance was advised because of their ‘realistic interpretation of the crucifixion’ over its two performances on Good Friday.
The same actor, James Burke-Dunsmore, has played Jesus in the depiction for 22 years.
Speaking to Londonist a few weeks ago, ahead of yesterday’s performance, he said: ‘Busses and sirens may pepper the performance, but we are not in a darkened theatre.
‘I can see the 20,000 faces and this offers a great opportunity to keep the connection tight.’
London Mayor Sadiq Khan was also in attendance. He said: ‘The Passion of Jesus has captivated Londoners and visitors to the capital for nearly a decade by bringing the story of Easter to life in Trafalgar Square.’
Company behind the performance said parental guidance is advised because of the ‘realistic interpretation of the crucifixion’
The same actor, James Burke-Dunsmore, has played Jesus in the depiction for 22 years. He is pictured carrying the cross
‘I can see the 20,000 faces and this offers a great opportunity to keep the connection tight,’ said James Burke-Dunsmore
The Passion of Jesus performance in Trafalgar Square, depicting the last supper. The production’s cast is 100 people strong
Dunsmore, playing Jesus, depicts the scene where the son of God carries the cross to execution, as people watch on
For the past nine years, the Wintershall Cast have performed The Passion of Jesus in Trafalgar Square on Good Friday
The story commemorating the day Jesus is believed to have been arrested, tried and crucified by the Romans, two days before miraculously rising from the dead on Easter Sunday, is brought to life in the open air in front of Londoners
Speaking to Londonist a few weeks ago, ahead of yesterday’s performance, James Burke-Dunsmore (pictured playing Jesus) said: ‘Busses and sirens may pepper the performance, but we are not in a darkened theatre. I can see the 20,000 faces’
The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr Justin Welby said: ‘Passion Plays have been a feature of the life of our country since the Middle Ages’