Holy Saturday Readthrough - The Passion, from Tony Harrison's Mysteries

[wildeabandon]

Since next week is Holy Saturday I thought it would be good to do an appropriately topical readthrough, and I think trying to get a singthrough of Jesus Christ Superstar working over video conferencing would be pretty much doomed to failure, so instead I'm going to suggest that we do Tony Harrison's version of The Passion, based mostly on the York Mystery Plays. The script is available from Amazon or Kobo for about nine quid, but if you're keen to join in and the cost is prohibitive let me know and I'll buy you a copy.

Poll #23765

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 15

View Respondents

Would you like to be in The Passion?

View Answers

Yes, please cast me
8 (53.3%)

Not this time, but have fun.
7 (46.7%)

Let me know your casting preferences in the comments.


John Baptist
Angel
Jesus
Blind Man (aka Bartimaeus)
Poor Man
Philip
Peter
Burgher
Judas
Marcellus
Andrew
John
Pilate
Percula (Pilate's wife)
Cayphas
Annas
Four Knights (who arrest and crucify Jesus - these are quite large parts)
Malcus (the one who gets his ear cut off)
Woman (the one to whom Peter denies Jesus)
Barabbas
Mary Mother
Mary Magdalene
Mary Salome
Simon of Cyrene
Centurion

Comments

[naath]

Turns out I found an opinion; I know none of the words(I will buy it if I am casted) I should like best to be Pilot. I would make a very bad disciple indeed, but am happy to be any of the Romans. I can do '3rd spear carrier' sized roles. And I promise no Biggus Dickus jokes, although would like to suggest Life of Brian as a ... companion... piece.

[emperor]

When would you want an answer by?

[the_elyan]

Out of interest, if you were to do Life of Brian, I have a fully edited and road-tested script available.

[wildeabandon]

I'm planning to do the casting early Friday evening, so ideally before then, but if you decide you want to join last minute it shouldn't be too hard to reshuffle things, although you'd be less likely to get your preferred parts. I'll try to find some time to have a look at Jitsu in the next few days.

[the_alchemist]

You'd be surprised at how well Biggus Dickus jokes fit in - the York Mystery Play of the Crucifixion is essentially done as a weird black comedy. It was sponsored by the Pinners [Nail makers'] guild, and portrays the four blokes who crucify Jesus as workmen who grumble about their gaffer, squabble about the mechanics of their job and make dick jokes about the nails.

I would theoretically be keen to do Life of Brian, but suspect that would make the readthrough too long.

[the_alchemist]

No strong preferences.

I can't remember to what extent Tony Harrison toned down the anti-semitism, but assuming he did, Judas is a fun role. I also like the knights, and Percula. Mary Mother gets a nice speech, and the Miner's speech at the end is lovely too.

Also up for Jesus if you don't get a better offer. But essentially happy to do anything, including singing one of the songs (though I only know the Richard Thompson one, and you might not want to do it because the A-word feature prominently!)

I'll look again at the script later today and may develop stronger preferences following that.

[naath]

Important Literature Innit...

[emperor]

OK, have decided I'm in. Would like to pitch for Jesus, Judas, Angel.

Do you have a plan for the Band / musical numbers?

[smhwpf]

Happy for whatever role you see fit!

There are songs? Happy to do a song.

[themidnightgirl]

I like Tony Harrison and I'd like to talk a lot, but don't have a preference of how that's composited.