Breaking Day – a lockdown Passion Play by Les Ellison - from York-based Riding Lights Theatre Company

As day begins to break on Good Friday, the occupying Governor’s tenuous grip on authority is slipping. It’s festival time in Jerusalem but his wife is plagued with disturbing dreams. Amid the demands of the Sanhedrin and the murderous cries of the mob, the lines between personal and political in Pilate’s house start to blur. The teacher at the centre of it all remains silent.

With stark intimacy, Breaking Day casts a surprising light on the death of Jesus from inside the Governor’s household, immersing us in the decisions that led to crucifixion.

Filmed remotely in an innovative lockdown style, Breaking Day is a virtual passion play for Easter 2021, available to churches from 15 March.

Available from Riding Lights' website: ridinglights.org from 15th March.

Made for your community

"In our recent projects, Riding Lights has developed creative ways to make virtual theatre available to your community. We can help you plan in-person screenings or watch-at-home-together events.

"If you would like to include moments of guided worship within your screening, Breaking Day also comes with suggestions for short reflections to use in between the three acts, responding to the themes of the play."

How does the tech work?

"The film is a high-quality video hosted privately on Vimeo and YouTube by Riding Lights. On receipt of a signed licence agreement you will receive an access link. If you would like to insert your own reflections, we can send each of the 3 acts separately to integrate with your live or pre-recorded sections.

"For the duration of the licence period, you can share it on your online church platform as a private video, sharing the link directly with your community. You will also be able to use it at in-person events which follow the appropriate government guidelines."

Costs and Booking

"Pricing is on a sliding scale for churches based on the size of your regular congregation (online or in person). Booking includes access to the play and a licence for public use between 15 March – 15 April 2021. Buying a licence enables you to share the play as widely as you wish. The price is based on the size of your church, not the number of households you can distribute it to.

"We have tried to make Breaking Day affordable to as many communities and individuals as possible. We recognise that some churches have experienced a drop in income as a result of the pandemic and so the fees listed below have been significantly subsidised. This comes at real cost to Riding Lights but it is our contribution to your Easter reflection and celebration. We hope that it will encourage your faith as we walk together towards a more hopeful future.

"If the cost is an insurmountable barrier to access, please contact the office for a conversation. Joint bookings of 2 or more churches will benefit from a 10% discount on the fee for each church – you can partner with another church, or involve your local Churches Together to share the experience across your whole community."

More questions? Call Bethan on 01904 655317, or email touring@rltc.org.

• Riding Lights Theatre Company