“It’s a real scene-by-scene representation of the ministry of Jesus by real people in real, natural surroundings.” – Gino Gammaldi

This year marks the 24th season of the Melbourne Passion Play, which has “become an institution” and “an event not to be missed,” according to the play’s manager, Gino Gammaldi. It typically attracts thousands of people each year from all over Victoria, interstate and even from overseas.

Like most Aussie activities, a defining feature of the Melbourne Passion Play is its outdoor setting. This allows the audience to progressively move with the cast during some of the many scenes of Jesus’s life that are acted out – starting with his baptism and ending with the resurrection. Audience members become part of the story, joining the “crowd of 5000” who sit at Jesus’s feet to hear the Beatitudes before being fed with loaves and fishes and standing with those who watch the crucifixion.

“[It’s] not the usual and traditional reference to the Passion that is a part of Holy Week within the churches of most religious denominations, but a real scene-by-scene representation of the ministry of Jesus by real people in real, natural surroundings,” Gammaldi says.

“Our Passion of Jesus Christ is portrayed each year in some of the most beautiful settings that nature can provide.”

This year it is being staged in the Melbourne suburb of Templestowe at the Holy Cross Centre, a lush garden retreat owned by the Passionist community. For many years the Easter event was held at Ruffey Lake Park in Doncaster.

Free performances of the play are held each year – on Palm Sunday and Good Friday – with a total cast of about 60, all volunteers. Many have no acting experience, and according to Gammaldi, they are “from every walk of life and religious and non-religious backgrounds” and range in age from “16 to 80.”

To keep the play fresh each year and “maintain the tradition and the high standard that audiences have come to expect,” Gammaldi says the producers constantly seek new cast members to join.

This year’s performance is dedicated to the play’s founder and long-time producer, 2009 Senior Australian of the Year Pat LaManna.

In many other ways, the organisation of this theatrical feat also goes far beyond the average amateur production. The Melbourne Passion Play boasts a professional director, Robert Durai, a host of administration, publicity and staging officers, and even theological consultants and script advisers. For the actors, weekly rehearsals are held for about six weeks.

As manager, Gammaldi has the daunting task of “ensuring all elements come together seamlessly and on time.” He does this while also “maintaining law and order” in an acting role as Quintus Cassius, commander of more than 20 soldiers.

Gammaldi notes that the play has evolved dramatically since its humble beginnings, thanks to the input of different directors and actors over the years.

This year’s performance is dedicated to the play’s founder and long-time producer, 2009 Senior Australian of the Year Pat LaManna. LaManna put its success down to God’s help.

In a video interview with the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, LaManna described his reaction when he believed God had told him to establish a passion play in Australia like the one in Oberammergau: “How can a man with a very poor education produce the greatest story ever told?” he said.

But after faithfully following this call and with the help of God and his wife, Le Manna concluded: “I think we’ve been successful … We’ve helped a lot of people spiritually.”

“[The] audience response to the play has been more than just positive – it’s been heartfelt.” – Gino Gammaldi

According to LaManna, Melbourne Passion Play has always emphasised inclusivity and inviting people from any background into the Easter story. “We don’t preach; we are here to tell the story,” he said.

Gammaldi also stresses the importance of the play in encouraging “community participation in all aspects of the production” and in giving “people from all backgrounds and all faith in our community the opportunity to witness a remarkable [production] of a most important event in the Christian liturgical calendar.” He notes that free admission gives “everyone who wishes to experience the play the opportunity to do so.”

It’s a formula that seems to be working. “[The] audience response to the play has been more than just positive – it’s been heartfelt. Because, as they move from scene to scene with the actors, they become involved not just with the physical and visual impact of the event but also with the pure inspiration that the enactment seems to have on them and their progression of faith,” says Gammaldi.

“[It’s] a most spiritual and moving experience for believers of all denominations.”

The Melbourne Passion Play performances will be held on Palm Sunday, April 2, and Good Friday, April 7. For more information, go to passionplay.info.