Nine actors with disabilities to star in annual outdoor Easter play
Production centres around Peter the Apostle and his daughter who has Down’s Syndrome
It is an annual production which has been held in Edinburgh’s Prince Street Gardens on Easter weekend since 2005 to tell the story of Easter.
Now this year’s version of the Passion Play is to be centred around Peter the Apostle and his daughter who has Down’s Syndrome - in a retelling of the Easter story that centres on Jesus’ relationships with disabled people.
Nine actors with disabilities, including seven who are learning disabled, are to take part in the play, Unbroken.
The Easter Play, which has been performed free in Princes Street Gardens on Easter Saturday for 20 years, is now an annual tradition in the city, and has attracted audiences of up to 4,000 people.
A new version is created every year by a large team of people of all faiths and none, making it one of the largest regular community theatre productions in Scotland.
Writer and director Suzanne Lofthus, of Cutting Edge Theatre, which has produced the play since 2022, said: “The play looks at Jesus’ relationships with disabled people, how he interacts with them, and what that means for us today.
“The play celebrates how Jesus spent time with people marginalised by society, bringing a message of love, purpose, inclusion and community that is as relevant today as it was then.
“We are challenging societal expectations of disabled people. Everyone has value, worth and brings their own creativity, irrespective of the barriers that society often places on disabled people. It’s on us as a society to work with them in order for them to achieve their potential.”
In Unbroken, the Easter story is framed by the experience of Peter the Apostle, played by David McBeath, who has a daughter, Yael, who has Down’s Syndrome, played by actor Emilia Halsall, who also has Down’s.
Scottish-Nigerian actor Michael Ogidi, a teacher from Dunfermline, who last year became the first person of colour to play Jesus, takes up the role this year for a second time.
Cutting Edge Theatre runs its Inspire programme, which is designed to help disabled people enjoy equal access to theatre as participants, audience members and professionals.
Ms Lofthus said: “We want to create equal access for disabled people but there are few places where they can train and perform. We are not seeing positive representation of disabled people on our mainstream stages and screens.
“We are delighted to welcome some of Cutting Edge’s Inspire participants into the cast of the Easter Play this year. We have nine disabled actors in the cast which is truly wonderful.”
She added: “This is a big, friendly community company, it’s a very safe and supportive place for them to be. We have learned how to adapt our rehearsals to ensure that everyone feels supported and given the space and time to be creative.”
The performance also includes integrated BSL interpretation, audio description and designated stewards to help disabled audience members.
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