48 Hours

Today, my oratorio 48 Hours in Jerusalem premiered at St Gabriel’s Church, Walsall.

What’s in the box?

Ten new songs, six soloists, and one very nervous piano player brought the Easter story to life in a new way – exploring the lives of Jesus’ followers in the immediate aftermath of his execution.

Acknowledgements

I must thank St Peter’s Saltley Trust for a generous grant which enabled the writing of this piece, from first principles to final production, and Su Parker Hallcroft, whose inestimable support has shaped the thought and words of the piece to reflect deeply on some of the themes of lament and distress that are so clear in Holy Saturday.

Thanks also to the clergy and community of St Gabriel’s Church, who have made us welcome and been generous with their space. It was a privilege and a pleasure to bring my songs to your parish.

The original cast included Su Parker Hallcroft, Kate Harrison, Michael Clayton, Ian Giles, Stephen Clayton, John Edlin and Jimm Rennie. BSL live interpretation provided by Signs for Worship. And I played the piano.

Where can we hear the songs?

There’s a temptation these days to record everything for posterity. We chose not to video the premiere, largely because it meant the audience could focus on the songs and acting rather than worrying about being in someone else’s shot, or the best place to have their phones out from.

A very good friend advised me this year that art is not worship. It can be, and is, devotional, but it isn’t the same thing as divine worship. I hope the audience this afternoon felt the devotional aspects of the production keenly, and perhaps even saw themselves in the various followers and their stories.

It’s difficult to imagine a strapline for a Holy Saturday Oratorio, but I think John covers it best in the closing song, which will eventually preface the gospel he and his people end up writing – Even in the dark, his light still shines.

Happy Easter

Great is the mystery of faith – Christ has died, Christ is risen.