A WOKING school teacher is leading a cast of more than a hundred volunteers in an open-air production of The Life of Christ at Wintershall, Bramley, daily until Saturday (1 July).

Peter Bergin, a professional actor until 2020, now teaches English at St John the Baptist School.

From 10am to 3.30pm, Peter takes audiences back to the Palestine of Jesus’ day in three acts, assisted by volunteers in full costume.

A haunting soundtrack and a full complement of sheep, horses, and, of course, Sam the donkey, make this one of the most moving live events of the summer. 

The Life of Christ is an unforgettable performance to mesmerise young and old as the story unfolds.

Peter’s Wintershall journey began as an audience member, watching Wintershall’s summer production of The Life of Christ with his family as a child. 

Twenty years later, aged 24, he returned to Wintershall as an actor and played Justinius, the soldier, and Joseph in The Life Of Christ. This year he played Jesus in The Passion in Trafalgar Square to record audiences.

Wintershall has become renowned for its epic re-enactments of stories from the Bible. On Good Friday, the Wintershall Passion of Jesus is performed to more than 20,000 people in Trafalgar Square and every summer The Life of Christ is presented at the Hutley family’s beautiful farm, Wintershall, within the rolling landscape of the Surrey Hills.

Peter and Ann Hutley have lived here for over 50 years and under their stewardship the estate has expanded into a haven for wildlife, mature woodland and farmland. 

The Life of Christ was originally written and adapted from the Bible by Peter to mark the millennium. Staged as a one-off production in 1999, it was so popular it has been performed almost every year since. It is directed by West End theatre producer and director Ashley Herman.

Tickets:  Weekdays: Adults £25, children £15, family (two adults, two children) £65. Saturday: Adults £28, children £15, family £70 (tickets to be bought in advance). Bookings can be made through www.wintershall.org.uk.

There is free car and coach parking. Light refreshments are available to purchase on Saturday. Visitors are asked to bring a picnic lunch and fold-up chair or rug. No seating is provided.

For further information, call the Wintershall ticket helpline on 01483 892167.