The Continuation of the Passion Play Tradition at Immaculate Conception Church

Abstract

     The Passion Play is a type of medieval European drama. At present, some Christian parishes in Thailand regularly produce this kind of play on Good Friday. This paper is the result of the author's investigation of the Passion Play performed by the parishioners of Immaculate Conception Church in Bangkok. It was found that the Passion Play has been performed at this church for about 100 years. All the actors were amateurs and were parishioners. The script, adapted from The New Testament, covers the final 24 hours of Jesus' life beginning with Jesus' Receiving His Cross from Ponzio Pilato and ending with the Deposition from the Cross. The Passion Play at Immaculate Conception Church shows the close relationship between the Church and the parish.