EASTER is being marked by one village with the staging of a passion play. The Weston Passion Play, taking place on Saturday, April 7, includes 60 people, different locations and music. And it is a real community effort as the cast, musicians and helpers

EASTER is being marked by one village with the staging of a passion play.

The Weston Passion Play, taking place on Saturday, April 7, includes 60 people, different locations and music.

And it is a real community effort as the cast, musicians and helpers will all be village residents, although they are hoping to attract visitors from a wider area.

Costumes are being designed, the local hairdresser is perfecting Roman hairstyles and the village pubs are producing Roman menus.

The director is professional actor Joanna Cherry, who has also written the script.

The day will start at noon on the cricket field with chariot races and prizes for the best entry.

After a lunch break the passion play will begin at 2.30pm with spectators following the five scenes in different locations, finishing with a Service of Light at Holy Trinity Church.

Passion plays tell the Easter story and have taken place for hundreds of years, but this is a first for Weston.

Producer Judith Evans came up with the idea of performing a passion play after she talked to the Rev Silke Tetzlaff about a visit to Oberammergau in Germany, which is famous for staging a passion play every 10 years since 1634.

Judith said: "As a result of our conversation Silke suggested Weston should do its own passion play."

The performance is free, but the programme for the event will be on sale to cover some costs.

The production is being supported by North Herts Art Council, supported by North Herts District Council. A series of events are being held in the village to raise funds.