Northern Ireland

Easter story reimagined against the backdrop of the Walled City

Yesterday's performance of the Walled City Passion in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Yesterday's performance of the Walled City Passion in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Yesterday's performance of the Walled City Passion in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

THE streets of Derry were yesterday the location for the first performances of an up-to-date, interactive reimagining of the Easter story.

Blurring the lines between performance and reality, the Walled City Passion is a multi-platform drama exploring how a security alert at a peace festival threatens to throw not just the city, but the world, into turmoil.

Set to be streamed live today at 4.30pm on the RTÉ and BBC players, the elaborate performance, which features professional actors supported by a cross-community cast of hundreds, including 700 children from 11 local schools, is the highlight of a new family-friendly three-day festival that began yesterday and runs until tomorrow.

Written by Derry playwright Jonathan Burgess and live directed double-IFTA award winner Paul McKay, the six performances of Walled City Passion take place against the backdrop of the city’s historic walls and are broadcast via a huge screen to an audience in Guildhall Square.

RTÉ One will televise a one-hour edited special on Easter Sunday at 10.30pm.

:: To find out more or to book tickets visit: https://walledcitypassion.com.