From Mr Mick Lumsden
Sir, — Having read the article (Features, 6 April), I watched the BBC programme The Preston Passion with great interest. I thought it was a superb production.
I looked forward to reading about the programme in last week’s Church Times, and was extremely disappointed. The only reference I could find was the short, negative review by the Revd Gillean Craig. His impressions are not representative of the opinions I have garnered.
I was so impressed by the Passion that I emailed my friends urging them to watch on the iPlayer. The feedback I received was universally positive (not one negative from 100 friends). Comments included: “Wasn’t it fantastic. The production made the story so relevant to today”; “It was fabulous!”; “It was intensely moving & very inspiring”; “I have watched the performance 3 times. Preston has become Holy Ground.”
Any reviewer is entitled to express his or her opinion, but I am baffled by Fr Craig’s comments. How could he have found the films “difficult to follow”? To me, the films were obvious, and made the Passion relevant to our ordinary lives. Weaving in the Stations of the Cross to the story of Bella/Jesus was genius, as was demonstrating the wonder of the incarnation by showing how a 12-year-old girl can be the hands and feet of Christ in the 21st century.
An opportunity to praise a wonderful effort has been missed.
I would urge readers to contact the BBC to say “Thanks.”
MICK LUMSDEN
241 High Street, Cottenham
Cambridge CB24 8QP