The Passion of Christ project to hit the streets

By Maurice Garvey

AN AMBITIOUS project depicting the Passion of Christ is to take place in Ballyfermot over a two-day period on April 8 and 9.

The project is part of Dublin City Council’s Dublin’s Culture Connects initiative, which has seen Ballyfermot Community Civic Centre and theatre company Brokentalkers team up with a range of Ballyfermot-based community groups, schools and churches to stage a contemporary version of the event, entitled ‘The Passion Project’.

The two-day performance will feature a procession through Ballyfermot and include a wide range of interactive performances by different groups taking part, and staging of scenes from the story.

Scenes will include dance, choirs, orchestras and other forms of music, as well as theatre and visual art performances.

They will be staged in indoor and outdoor locations throughout Ballyfermot and Cherry Orchard.

Spectators will be taken on a procession through the village, stopping at the local train station, library, street corners, parks, and other venues, for performances by local community groups and schools, including Men’s Sheds, writing groups, women’s craft groups, and drumming and dance schools.

Two professional actors will headline the performances, and have been providing guidance and training to school children over the last month.

Organisers say the Passion story will be interpreted in such a way as to highlight some issues affecting local residents.

Day one of the performance will include homeless apostles, an eviction, and a shooting, as well as a world café.

The performance will culminate on the second day, with a trial, a Last Supper concert, and finally a ‘crucifixion’ at Markievicz Park.