How to portray the reality of Jesus Christ is the question once again facing actor Tom Peters this summer as he prepares to take the leading role in the first Oxford Passion.
The Creation Theatre Company production will play at Oxford Castle from 1 August to 8 September and feature a large community chorus working alongside professional actors.
For Tom it will, in fact, be the third time that he has taken on this most challenging of roles, most recently in a dramatic reading of St Mark's Gospel at Holy Trinity Church, Headington Quarry, Oxford last autumn.
If the performances then are anything to go by this summer's production will be a gritty, high-energy portrayal of Jesus' last weeks on earth.
Then, as now, the script is based on the translation of the New Testament by Nicholas King, and has been written by Lizzie Hopley.
Tom told the DOOR: 'It's a great privilege to play such a complex and famous figure, although quite daunting to look at what I can bring to a role that has been played so famously so many times before.' Creation's artistic director and producer, David Parrish hopes that if the production this year is successful it will become a yearly event to rival the Mystery Plays of York, Coventry and Chester.
Tickets for The Oxford Passion are available on 01865 766266.
Win a pair of tickets to see The Oxford Passion by writing in to us with the name of the disciple who betrayed Jesus with a kiss.
Send your answer by email or on a postcard with your name and address to DOOR Passion competition, Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey Lane, Oxford, OX2 OBN, by 20 July.
