2,000-year-old Passion Play story

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singers

Abingdon Passion Play takes place in Abbey Gardens on Saturday, 22nd June with two performances, noon & 5pm, John Clare invites you to take your seat

Bring a chair and a picnic, sit back and enjoy a unique theatrical experience, as actors and singers bring the story of Jesus of Nazareth to life.

The last three Abingdon Passion Plays were performed around Easter time, which is the traditional time for Christians to reflect on the story of Jesus of Nazareth. The 2013 and 2019 plays took place in the Abbey Gardens, in 2016 the action took place in Abingdon’s iconic market square. The Abingdon Passion Play 2024 returns yet again to the Abbey Gardens and is using a modern script which brings the story into the 21st century. This time it is being performed in June.

The cast come from different walks of life in and around Abingdon, and over the past few weeks and months we have been able to get to know one another, and the communities where we come from, more closely, united in our enthusiasm for the play. Whilst times may well have changed, what motivates us as humans, our ambitions, our dreams and our flaws are not so very different from 2,000 years ago, which is why the story can still be relevant to people today.

Excited about the event and want to get involved? We are still looking for people happy to help as stage crew, front of house, and stewards. If you would like to help, please contact our Director, Ralph Westby, by email: [email protected], or by phone on 07790 498718.

Acclaimed Chamber Choir comes to Manningford

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An acclaimed international chamber choir will be holding a choral music evening at St Peter’s Church, Manningford, in aid of vital church roof repairs this June.

‘My Spirit Sang All Day’ will be conducted by renowned vocal coach and musician Rachel McCorry who will lead the Sharcott Chamber Group in a selection of timeless, sacred and secular choral music from across the centuries. Including works by Finzi, Mozart, Mendelssohn and Bruckner.

The event is taking place on Saturday 1st June at St Peter’s Church, Manningford, near Pewsey. Doors open at 6pm for a glass of wine and nibbles which are included in the £15 ticket price. The concert will run from 6.30pm to 8.15pm with an interval.

The choir is a tightly-knit ensemble based in Wiltshire who have shared years of musical experiences. Including tours in the US, the Netherlands, France and Belgium. They have chosen St Peter’s Church because of its excellent acoustic and are kindly donating their services in return for using the space for a recording earlier this month.

The group of nineteen singers who will sing in Manningford Church were an auditioned subset of ‘The Village Singers’. Founded by Rachel, the choir is an ensemble of around 70 musicians ranging in age from teenagers to 80 year olds from all around Wiltshire. The group began singing in the pub at Sutton Benger but quickly grew and relocated to a village school before moving to St. Andrew’s, Chippenham under the musical directorship of Rachel McCorry. The choir’s repertoire includes sacred and choral pieces, classical and opera, spirituals, folk, pop and show tunes.

In 2014 the choir sang in Ypres Cathedral and at the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Bruges. In 2017, they performed in three stunning Paris venues. Eglise de la Madeleine, Eglise St Louis en L’Ile and Eglise St Germain l’Auxerrois. In January 2019 they performed the US premier of Symphonic Adiemus, in Carnegie Hall, New York, as part of an international choir with composer, Sir Karl Jenkins in residence. Earlier this year, Rachel took a small group for a return trip to Carnegie Hall and to celebrate the end of her time with The Village Singers, they have very recently completed a tour in Amsterdam.

The church has space for around 75 so people are advised to book early to be sure of a seat. There will be managed parking close to the church.

Tickets for the June concert are available in advance only from:

Manningford PCC Sort code: 30-92-63 Account number: 01724232 Reference: ‘Concert’ and your name.