by Michael Ireland : Apr 7, 2010 : ASSIST News

“One scene in particular captures people,..It is the occasion where Jesus asks Peter three times whether he loves him and three times Peter says yes. Then the cock crows, because Peter did deny him once. He is forgiven, and Jesus turns to the audiences and says: ‘Be bold, love my Church.’ There’s not a dry eye. One time I was standing by this tall man…and he was crying his eyes out.”

(London, UK)—Roman soldiers dressed in authentic-styled armor of the 12th Legion, tramped through Trafalgar Square in the center of London on Good Friday afternoon, as the story of the Passion of Jesus was re-enacted by a cast of more than 100. According to Ind.Catholic News.com, the Good Friday production by the Wintershall Estate theatre company, drew an estimated audience of up to 20,000 people, among them families, church groups and tourists, who, in spite of showery weather, crammed onto steps around the Square and the front of the National Gallery for both the dress rehearsal and main performance.

The Catholic website says some members of the audience were recruited in the crowd scenes.

The drama, accompanied by a beautiful musical score, depicted some of the key events in the life of Jesus (played by actor Simon Hemingway-shown on left)—scenes of miracles, his entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, driving the shopkeepers from the Temple, the Last Supper, his betrayal and trial, death and Resurrection. As heavy London buses continued to rumble by, the Crucifixion was portrayed, under the shadow of Nelson’s Column. British Sign Language interpreters were available for the deaf or hearing impaired among the crowd.

Sukele Harper, an Anglican from Stoke Newington, said: “Seeing the story close up like this really brings it home. Although we are all so engrossed, in fact the world out there is carrying on as usual.”

David Jones, also from east London, who watched the dress rehearsal, said: “I’m going to church later today, but having seen this play I feel as though I have already attended a service. It was very moving.”

Japanese tourists Keiko and Yukiko said: “We’re not Christian but this is an incredible drama to watch. We were just passing and it was so fortunate that this was taking place today.”

Earlier, Archbishop Vincent Nichols said he was thrilled at the prospect of the play. “One of the great themes for debate is religion in the public square and there is no square more public than Trafalgar,” he said. “This story lies at the heart of the culture of this country. To be unaware of the Christian story is to be unable to make sense of so much which makes up the fabric of the society in which we live. The Passion explores the values of being human, the nature of pain and suffering, through the Cross, compassion, forgiveness, hope and a new vision of eternal life.”

The Archbishop added: “This play is not proselytizing. Knowledge of Christ is not something that can be forced on someone. It is an invitation to people to get to know Christ personally. That can be a transformational experience.”

He said he hoped the play “will bring the true meaning of Easter to many more here in the centre of London.”

Pia Harold, writing for BBC News, asked why a man would bring a 2,000-year-old story, 107 actors, three crosses, two horses and a donkey, to the centre of London at a cost of more than £50,000GBP ($76,000USD)? Harold said it was an operation that would be a logistical nightmare to even the most experienced and ambitious theatre impresario.

Trafalgar Square in London hosted the massive open-air performance of the The Passion of Jesus on Good Friday afternoon.

Harold wrote before the event: “The protagonist will burst out between the famous huge bronze lions for a triumphal entrance into Jerusalem. He will perform healings along the capital’s roadside then be crucified against Nelson’s Column, before resurrecting at the end of the play.”

Harold said The Passion of Jesus tells the story of the last week of Jesus’s life, concentrating on what Christians see as his ultimate sacrifice for mankind.

“It’s an Easter staple, but seldom has it been performed on such a grand scale as this,” Harold wrote