PLAYING the role of Jesus is a special challenge at the annual Long Crendon Mystery Plays this weekend.

Andrew Ormanroyd, a teacher of German and French, said: "This is the fourth year I have played Christ - before that I played Satan, which was rather a dramatic switch."

Mr Ormanroyd added: "I remember when I first took the part, I felt a little strange about it. After all, how can you play Christ? But the medieval writers were very skilled, and very down to earth. They portray the human side of Christ, though the spiritual comes across as well."

Poet Ruth Pitter, who used to live in the village, adapted the original text of some of the York Cycle of Mystery Plays, keeping the medieval flavour but making it more accessible.

The costumes for the cast of 100 are modelled on medieval dress. Medieval music is played in the church setting, with choristers singing Gregorian plainsong.

The plays have been performed by people from local churches for the past 25 years, and now attract audiences from a wide area.

This year's performances continue this evening and tomorrow, Saturday, at 8pm, at St Mary's Church, Long Crendon. The cost is £5.50 for adults, children £3.50. Each performance is preceded by a procession at 7.50pm from Church House Square, on the High Street, to the church.

For bookings ring (01844) 208358

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.