Jesus Christ was paraded through the streets of Belper as amateur actors played out a contemporary version of the crucifixion.
CARRYING a cross and with has face bloodied, Dan Skidmore played the part of the Messiah, dragging a giant cross from the Methodist Chapel, in Chapel Street, through the town to St Peter's Church, in Chesterfield Road.
Crowds lined the route while both churches were packed with people keen to watch the play, called The Belper Passion.
Now in its second year, the event is based on Christ's last days and is set in the future, where Great Britain is governed by an organisation called the Corporation, a multinational company that dominates every aspect of life.
The part of Barabass who, according to the Bible, Pontius Pilate freed and crucified Jesus in his place, was played by Luke Norman.
Watching him perform at the Methodist Chapel was his six-year-old daughter, Maria, who attends St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School in the town.
She said: "Last year Dad played the part of the chief priest and this year he is Barabass, so he always seem to play baddies.
"Maybe if the play happens again he might get to play one of the goodies.
"I like to be here to watch him, I think he's very good."
The play, which was written by George Gunby and directed by Sheila Kay Sly, is modernised as two TV show presenters, played by Sarah Holme and Jeff Foster, ask the audience to vote on who should be crucified – Christ or Barabass?
During Act One, the president of the Corporation, played by Martin Drake, told the audience: "There is nowhere I would rather be today than Belper."
He then goes on to tell the audience, who get to interact with the actors, that the day "marks a landmark in British history as the death penalty has been restored".
Act One finished at the Methodist Chapel, before the cast took to the streets of Belper in procession to St Peter's.
Also watching the play was Luke Norman's mother Joyce Vine, who had travelled from York to watch her son perform. She said: "I now live in a city where the Mystery Plays are famous so it is nice to come to Derbyshire and watch something like this, especially because my son is performing in it."
Craig and Ruth Widdowson, 31 and 38, had come from their home in Swanwick to watch the Belper Passion.
Craig said: "We have come to show support for our brother-in-law who is playing one of the parts."
Ruth said: "I think it is good that the town comes out to support local actors in this way. The play itself was really good."
With actors young and old drawn from the local amateur dramatics scene to take part in the play, the experience was hailed a success.
Diane Churchill, who lives in Belper, said: "This is the second year the play has taken place in the town and I do not know yet whether it will happen again next year.
"I hope it does."
