Jannah Theme License is not validated, Go to the theme options page to validate the license, You need a single license for each domain name.
Norwich

Norwich church witnesses daughter come to life 


Through his musical ‘Daughter’ Mark Albanie has created a fresh retelling of the life and teaching of Jesus, refracted through the characters who saw and heard him.


A multi-talented cast performed ‘Daughter’ at St Thomas Norwich on March 17 and 18, supported by precision production and direction and top-quality sound and costumes. For the audience it was an emotionally charged experience, weaving between humour and pathos, as Jairus’ daughter returned from the dead and shared the contents of her diary.

 

The author blessed Jairus with a second daughter, contrasting but equally gifted, which made for some lively family dynamics and some surprising scenes, as both turned out to be accomplished singers and dancers. The atmosphere built as impressions of Jesus were skilfully retold and the audience was continually taken aback by the talent of the performers.

 

Hilary Harrison on the keyboard led a group of musicians in the shadows to the side of the church – it sounded so much like a professional recording that you almost forgot they were there. Andrew Piper as graphic designer displayed his usual creative flair, creating a cascade of moving colours and period stills as a backdrop for the first-century characters.

 

An imaginative use of videos enabled the involvement of a wider cast, whose outdoor scenes were interspersed with those of the live actors. One ambitious reconstruction involved the dismantling of a roof and the lowering of a paralysed man through it on ropes.

 

It was a unique approach, and with a light touch on a crucial subject, Mark Albanie managed to create a performance which was both accessible and impactful. For those who missed it, we share some pictures below.

Lydia – the daughter of Jairus, opens her diary and brings the story to life.

Solidiers750

Centurion Erroneous struggles to drill the wayward members of a somewhat slapstick legion: Supercilious, Circuitous, Laborious, Agrippa et al.

Family750

The restored family: thankful but rather bemused by their miracle 

JewishLeader750

Jairus’ friend Nathan – coming to terms with the identity of Jesus against the background of his Jewish faith.

Rachel750

A close father-daughter relationship – Lydia’s sister Rachel adds some spice to the mix

Faithful750

“All I have need of, His hand will provide, He’s always been faithful to me.”

Musiicans750

The musicians: inconspicuous but stunning.

OldLydia750

Lydia in old age looks back on a life of marvels.

Images: Hannah Brooks

 

 

Eldred Willey, 21/03/2023

Read the full article here

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *