Topic: Events around Easter – The scourging, the crucifixion, at the tomb, victory over the Devil.
Main theme: Jesus suffered and died for our sins. He was resurrected on the 3rd day, to bring us new life. He has the victory.
Approximate duration: 15 minutes.
Cast
Cast: 9 characters + two narrators (you can use as many narrators as you wish, because are several recitals which can be shared)
Jesus
Mary Magdalene
Mary – mother of Jesus
Peter
Thomas
Zacchaeus
Nicodemus
Jairus’ daughter
Martha
Non-speaking parts
In Scene Three, the character of Jesus is silent, so you may use a different actor from the one playing Jesus in Scene Two.
Suggested Props & Costumes
No costumes required, apart from 2 garments worn by Mary Magdalene in Scene Three.
One long, white robe. A simple t-shaped garment with short sleeves will do.
One long black robe.
The black robe is to fit over the white robe, so it should be slightly bigger than the garment underneath. This should have an opening all the way down the front middle section and be secured with Velcro or poppers, so that it can be ripped off easily.
The black garment is to signify death and mourning and when Mary realises she is looking at Jesus, she rips the black robe off her body to reveal the white one underneath. This signifies life and rejoicing.
Props for Scene One:
A picture of a whip to be projected onto a screen, or as a poster displayed on an easel board.
Props for Scene Two:
A picture of a wooden cross and crown of thorns to be projected onto a screen, or as a poster displayed on an easel board.
Props for Scene Four:
A bunch of keys. The larger the better.
A torch (optional)
A picture of a fire / furnace projected onto a screen. If using an easel board, you can also add the word, ‘Victory!’ positioned above the fire.
Props for Scene Five:
24 pieces of card sized approx. 20cm x 14cm.
8 pieces of thick string, approx. 100cm each.
One black marker pen.
8 fold-up chairs (or easy-to-move church chairs). Alternatively, a long table.
8 of the cards will have a hole on either side at the top, to thread string through and then be tied in a knot (so that the card can hang from the neck). These cards will each have a name of a bible character written on the front in thick marker pen – large enough for the audience to be able to see the names.
Each of the characters will also be holding a card in their hand that has a word on it that relates to their condition before they were touched by Jesus:
Peter – fear
Thomas – unbelief
Mary Magdalene – rejection
Mary (mother of Jesus) – bereavement
Zacchaeus – greed
Nicodemus – religion
Martha – wrong priorities
Jairus’ daughter – sickness
The last set of 8 cards will all say HOPE, which each of the bible characters will hold up at the end.
