A HAVANT community group will stage a play about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus to town centre audiences over the Easter weekend in 2024.

The production company, Havant Passion Play, is made up of amateur actors from around Havant, and has previously staged Passion Plays in Havant Park in 2015, 2017 and 2019. Plans were well advanced for a new production to take place in Staunton Country Park, in Leigh Park, during August 2023, but stalled when the professional actor lined up to take the role of Jesus had to withdraw. Despite extensive efforts it proved impossible to replace the actor in time and the production had to be postponed.

Carolyn Owens, head of productions at Havant Passion Play said: “We were so disappointed to have to delay the production, but it is vital to get the right person for the role of Jesus. Actors were interested, but the timings were wrong for them and we had no choice but to postpone. However, with so much ready we were determined not to lose momentum and are delighted to announce that the production is moving to Easter weekend 2024.”

Due to the Spring weather and shorter days, the change of date also means a change of venue, and the company are now in discussion with Havant Borough Council to bring the production into Havant town centre.

Carolyn added, “Easter is a traditional time to perform a Passion Play, and we are thrilled to be working with Havant Borough Council, the market and town centre churches to bring this story to life at the heart of the community. It is a fabulous opportunity for us all.”

The production’s director is professional actor and director James Burke-Dunsmore, who for many years portrayed Jesus each Good Friday in Trafalgar Square, and also at summer productions of ‘The Life of Christ’ in the Wintershall estate near Guildford. James also played the role of Jesus in Havant Passion Plays in 2015, 2017 and 2019, but retired from the role in 2022.

Anyone interested in finding out more or taking part in the production should contact HPP on havantpassionplay@gmail.com. The role of Jesus has been widely advertised and auditions are scheduled for October 2nd.