It’s full steam ahead for the Good Friday 2022 Passion Play in Bishop Auckland Market Place following a delay of two years due to COVID restrictions and Lockdown.

‘Passion Play Bishop Auckland’ was due to be performed twice on Good Friday in 2020 but had to be postponed as rehearsals were in full swing due to the first lockdown. The whole team and cast were devastated but were keen to get going again to perform on Good Friday 2021 just to have the carpet pulled out from under their feet as the second lockdown put proceedings on hold again.

With the lifting of restrictions, the organising team are now working hard to bring things back together for Good Friday 2022.

The team are organising a get together on Friday 29th October 2021 at 8 pm in the upstairs lounge of the ‘Reading Rooms’ bar and cafe. The get together is open to all supporters and members of the cast and team as well as anyone that might be interested in finding out more about ‘Passion Play Bishop Auckland’ and getting involved. The event coincides with the Bishop Auckland ‘Full Moon’ street food market, so the organisers hope that people will want to come and see what’s happening and sample the evening’s hospitality.

Producer of Passion Play Bishop Auckland the Revd Eileen Harrop said: ”We are delighted that we can now resume planning and rehearsals for Good Friday 2022. It has been incredibly frustrating to get near to the point of performing two years in a row, to be thwarted by this terrible virus, although putting things on hold when we did was essential for the wellbeing of all of our cast and wider team.

“We are all very excited now that we are able to start rehearsals again. Sadly during the two years of delay, we need to find a few new members of the team and cast, so we are on the lookout for anyone wanting to volunteer.

“We are really grateful to all those that have shown support for the event and for finally bringing it to the Market Place in Bishop Auckland on Good Friday 2022.”

The team are looking for volunteers in the following areas:

  • Cast Members – in non-acting roles including Roman Soldiers and the Crowd.
  • Behind the Scenes – Stage Management; Event Welcomers; People with Technical skills in Audio/video/electrical; Helping with backstage preparations and rehearsals and a host of other volunteering opportunities.

If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please contact the team by emailing enquiries@passionplaybishopauckland.org