Good Friday ‘Walk of Witness’ virtual street theatre
For almost 30 years, Charlton Kings Community Players have contributed a short drama during the Good Friday Walk of Witness through the village. The performance usually takes place in the Church Piece precinct and various themes have been explored. Most of the sketches have been written by local people. This one imagines a conversation between the Archangels Gabriel & Michael as they observe the unfolding events on that first Good Friday.
This virtual production is based on a piece called ‘Good Friday Conversation’ and includes contributions from different members of the Players and local churches. The CKCP have been performing street theatre in Charlton Kings on Good Friday as part of the local churches ‘Walk of Witness’ since 1992. The restrictions under lockdown mean that it will not be possible to perform ‘live’ for Easter 2021.
The piece, written by Lynne Glover, was first performed on Good Friday in 2011, some ten years ago. It was delivered to a large crowd on a brilliantly sunny day. The piece involves a dialogue between the archangels Gabriel and Michael as the events unfold on the first Good Friday in Jerusalem.
The video includes an introduction, the discussion between the two archangels, a biblical reading and a prayer. A recording on piano by Keith Mead has been incorporated of the ‘Passion Chorale’ by Hans Leo Hassler as adapted by Johann Sebastian Bach, particularly for his ‘St. Matthew Passion’.
The Charlton Kings Churches’ ‘Walk of Witness’ is, under normal circumstances, a well attended local event and it is sad that for a second year the pandemic means this activity is restricted.
A selection of photographs of some previous walks may be viewed here.
