A PASSION play will be performed in Darlington this weekend reviving hopes that it could become an Easter tradition in the town.

It is 30 years since Darlington had a public enactment of Christ's life from his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane to the Crucifixion on Calvary.

Sunday's hour-long performance, involving 40 to 50 local people, takes place in the grounds of St Augustine's Church, Larchfield Street. It starts at 2pm. Admission is free.

Ideas about establishing a Passion Play tradition originated in the 1980s and remain the dream of the director, Brian Coady, who was involved in all four productions in that decade.

"About 90 towns and cities throughout the country have a Passion Play, not necessarily every year," he said. "The original aim was that it could be staged in the Market Place."

Mr Coady, a 75-year-old retired business manager, has been leading rehearsals since the beginning of the year. He hopes it will generate enough enthusiasm to become a regular attraction.

Churches Together in Darlington, an umbrella group of different Christian denominations, has given support for this year's performance.

The large cast of amateur actors – men and women – are members of various churches and of no faith background, who share an interest in performing. They include seven musicians from Darlington Salvation Army Band, who will play a range of instruments including keyboard and bongo drums.

"We are using an American script," said Mr Coady. "Essentially we had no funds, so it was a question of what was available without cost.

"It is a little different because some of the key characters have individual speeches. The action is led by a narrator, but then there are those who speak directly to the audience giving their view of what is happening."

St Augustine's Repertory Society has provided costumes, expertise and props, including a wooden cross made for the first Passion Play in 1981. The last enactment was in 1987.

"We invite people to come and stand in the grounds and watch the story unfold," said Mr Coady, who attends St Augustine's.

"If the weather is bad, the performance will take place inside the church," he added, reassuringly.