More than 50 students from St John Bosco Arts College came together through music, dance and drama to perform a contemporary retelling of The Passion Play.

A much-loved event in the school’s calendar, students from Years 7 to 10 participated in this year’s performance, bringing the sacred story to life through a vibrant display of acting, singing and dancing.

2026 marks the thirteenth year of St John Bosco students performing the play and while the story itself remained unchanged, the school’s chaplain, Anne Quirk, and its performing arts department worked together to combine spirituality with creative innovation, delivering a contemporary rendition of The Passion that deeply resonated with the audience.

This year’s performance featured songs from various iconic musicals, including ‘Gethsemane’ from Jesus Christ Superstar, ‘When You Believe’ from The Prince of Egypt, and ‘From Now On’ from The Greatest Showman. All songs were selected to reflect the themes of each scene and deepen students’ connection to the story.

A significant moment in the play was the carrying of the cross, a moving scene that has been a staple of the school’s performance since 2015. For the first time this year, St John Bosco’s Passion Play also included a resurrection cross to represent light and hope, providing a powerful and uplifting conclusion to the performance.

Anne Quirk, writer and director of the school’s Passion Play, said: “I am passionate about The Passion and every year my aim is to bring it to life in a fresh and creative way. I’m extremely grateful for the support and guidance of our amazing performing arts department, which carefully considered the creative concept and how it could be translated on stage.

“And while we may come up with the ideas, it’s the students who really make it happen. They should be extremely proud of this year’s performance which remained rooted in faith whilst staying relevant for our community.”

Mr Darren Gidman, headteacher of St John Bosco Arts College, added: “Congratulations to everyone involved in this year’s Passion Play. Both students and staff worked tirelessly to put together the production which was nothing short of perfect!”