The Durban Catholic Players’ Guild will once again present the Durban Passion Play, fondly known as the “Oberammergau of Africa” at the Playhouse Drama Theatre from 6 to 16 April.
Now in its fifteenth year, the play which is directed by Dawn Haynes and Jessica Wardle, strives to restore the true meaning of Easter.
“It is an epic scale dramatic production depicting Jesus’ Passion, covering the final period of his life from his visit to Jerusalem to his execution by crucifixion and ending with the Resurrection. It is performed by a large cast who volunteer their time and skills as part of their Lenten preparations. The play involves seven months of commitment from a 130-plus cast who receive no remuneration,” said Haynes.
Meanwhile, the Diakonia Council of Churches is calling on people of faith to its annual ecumenical Good Friday Service and Procession in front of the Durban City Hall, at dawn on Friday, April 7, starting at 6am.
The service is hosted by Diakonia Council of Churches, working closely with eThekwini Municipality and a team of volunteers. The initial part of the service takes place in front of the Durban City Hall. Followed by a silent procession around the City Hall precinct, continuing past the Workshop and the old prison wall, then through the streets of the city and back to the Durban City Hall, while the bells of St Paul’s solemnly toll. The service ends with the flowering of the cross.
Each year, the service highlights a particular aspect of national suffering or injustice. The service this year will focus on the theme of abundance. The theme looks at some of the stumbling blocks to living life abundantly: GBV; recovering after covid; rebuilding after the floods; poverty and homelessness; xenophobia; crime and corruption and lack of opportunities for young people. The sermon will be delivered by Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana, the General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches (SACC).
The Easter period also promises a stellar line-up of Easter-themed movies. Hosted by the Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo the movies will be played on their big screen. On Sunday, 02 April at 2pm, Schindler’s List will be played; on Monday, 03 April at 6pm The Greatest Story Ever Told; on Wednesday, 05 April 2023 at 6:30pm Brokeback Mountain; Friday, 07 April at 7pm Jesus Christ Superstar; Sunday, 09 April, 2pm: Sister Act; Monday, 10 April, 2pm: The Ten Commandments.
The Durban Symphonic Choir’s performance of Stainer’s Crucifixion at St Joseph’s Cathedral, Mariannhill will take place on Sunday 2 April at 3pm. This performance vividly portrays the events of the Passion of Christ. Scored for tenor and bass soloists, organ and mixed choir, the piece combines recitatives, solos, and masterful choruses that range from the graphic mob shouts of Crucify Him to the ethereally meditation at the work’s centrepiece God so Loved the World.
Handel’s choral masterpiece, The Messiah, the world’s best loved oratorio, receives a triumphant Easter Sunday return to The Playhouse Opera on Easter Sunday, 9 April at 3pm.
The semi-staged production, which has become a landmark event on the Playhouse calendar over the past decade, will be accompanied by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Jeremy Silver. Directed by Ralph Lawson, the production will be graced by leading South African soloists, Ondelwa Sisanda Martins (soprano), Jacobi Benkenstein (mezzo), Luther Sakhumzi Martins (tenor), and Bongani Kubheka (bass baritone) – with the renowned Playhouse Chorale performing under the expert choral direction of Juan Burgers.
