Scene One
If it is possible to have the room darkened, please do so. The two narrators are the only people present in this scene. They can either read the script side by side from the stage or have a pre-recorded recital that is played over a public address system. The visual aspect of this scene is a screen that shows a picture of a whip.
Scene Two
Narrator One stands on the stage or at the front of the room. If possible, Narrator Two should read their part behind stage / obscured from view, so that people can focus on the words and images on screen.
Scene Three
Mary walks onto the stage area from behind the audience and stands in the CENTRE. She then turns around slowly, looking around like she is lost – moving her head in different directions. She is scared and sad.
As she recites the first section, she is re-living her past and cringing at the thought of how tormented she used to be. She places the palms of both hands against the sides of her head and looks down. She also crosses her arms and rubs her biceps like she is cold. When she does this, she flinches as if something is trying to attack her.
During the second section, her emotions change to delight and she looks up the ceiling often. She opens her arms out wide with palms upwards, as if receiving something. She is elated and laughs during the dialogue.
After she says, “I felt so warm inside.” Jesus enters the stage from DOWN RIGHT and stands at an angle with his back partly to the audience. A distance remains between them as she stands facing him. She doesn’t look at him until she begins to recite the third section.
As the third section begins, she looks directly at Jesus and leans forward in a pleading manner. Once again, her arms stretch to the side, with palms up.
When she says, “Sir please do not waste time, my grief has made me weary.” She puts her head in her hands and bends slightly forward. After she says, “Just tell me where…” there is a 5 second pause. Jesus opens his arms towards her but stays where he is.
As she says, “what did you say…” she looks up at Jesus.
As she says, “Sir, you just called me Mary!” this is recited slowly, but the emphasis is on the word, “Mary” which is pronounced louder than the other words.
Mary then rips off her black dress. It doesn’t matter if the audience sees her pull at the Velcro fastening and it doesn’t matter if this is done clumsily. She does need to make an emphasis of throwing the black cloak onto the ground behind her. She tosses it behind her then runs straight to Jesus and falls at his feet, looking up at him in reverence and joy.
Jesus looks down at her with a smile and hovers the palms of his hands over her head.
She remains at his feet, looking up at him throughout the last section, until she gets to, “Or plant some tiny seeds”
She gets up to recite the last 4 lines and faces the audience with both hands raised above her head, in praise.
Mary runs off the stage towards the audience and runs past them to the back, as if she is going to tell the others what she has just experienced.
Jesus watches here with a smile on his face, then takes a bunch of keys out of his pocket and begins to swirl them over his right index finger.
The narrator enters the stage as the lights dim.
Scene Four
The narrator uses a torch if he cannot see clearly the script he is reading.
Scene Five
Please refer to the page above, entitled, “He is Risen”, as the direction has been explained in this section.
*****
As this play is designed to be performed on Easter Sunday in church, there is no suggested summary or prayer, as after the play has been performed, the service will resume as directed by the church leaders present.
