SEVERAL hundred people watched the sufferings and death of Christ acted out on the streets of Ingleton on Good Friday, writes Peter McCabe.

They looked on as members of Ingleton Community Theatre Group, St Mary's and the Methodist Church depicted the characters and events which led to the crucifixion.

The sun shone as the scene was introduced by narrator Ruth Ive.

Then, standing on a small stage, Peter Bridges as Pilate sought to interview and set free Jesus of Nazareth, played by Steve Wykes.

Pilate was assisted by Jeff Simpson as Marcus, his assistant, and Anna Thornton as his wife, but opposed by Carl Lis in the role of Caiaphas and Ralph Tomlinson as Annas, the Jewish religious leaders.

The crowd of onlookers, women of Jerusalem and disciples were whipped up into a frenzy by cheerleader Margaret Milburn.

A platoon of Roman soldiers, complete with uniform, helmets and weapons set about the Saviour, causing ghastly wounds on his back and then plaiting a crown of thorns for his head.

Wearing just a thin lower garment and the thorns, Jesus struggled with his cross through the Square, up Seed Hill and in front of Ingleborough, where he stumbled and fell.

Led by a centurian he was surrounded by the soldiers and followed by a band of characters including two thieves who were to be executed with him. Further back came curious onlookers. Eventually the character of Simon of Cirene was pressganged into carrying the cross.

Watching the progress of the procession was deeply moving. Bent double, lurching forward, chastised by the soldiers, Christ made a pitiful sight.

The procession stopped for Jesus to address the women of Jerusalem and warn them of coming judgement and then it was on to the crucifixion site at the old Storrs quarry.

As the skies began to darken the Roman soldiers nailed Jesus and the two thieves onto three prone crosses and lifted them up so the victims hung several feet above the large audience before them.

Co-produced by Howard Topper and Rev Viv Ashworth the Passion Play was hailed a success.

Mr Topper said: "I was very pleased. We only had eight rehearsals but we had a lot of people who were very interested, a few who had some experience and a lot of people who had a lot of skill.

"It is the first time we have produced a passion play and I think it is the sort of thing you can do only once every five or ten years because it is a little bit different."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.