A passion play will be performed in Princes Street Gardens on Easter Saturday.
The performance will be a new version of the story which puts disability at the centre.
Unbroken will be performed on 4 April in Princes Street Gardens West, tells the story of Jesus’ relationships with disabled people and what we can learn from them.
This year’s play is the product of many months of hard work by a large community cast which includes disabled and non-disabled performers.
Writer and director Suzanne Lofthus of Cutting Edge Theatre says: “The play looks at Jesus’ relationships with disabled people, how he interacts with them, and what that means for us today.
“The play celebrates how Jesus spent time with people marginalised by society, bringing a message of love, purpose, inclusion and community that is as relevant today as it was then.
“We are challenging societal expectations of disabled people. Everyone has value, worth and brings their own creativity, irrespective of the barriers that society often places on disabled people. It’s on us as a society to work with them in order for them to achieve their potential.”
The Easter Play, which has been performed free in Princes Street Gardens on Easter Saturday since 2005, is now an annual tradition in the city, and has attracted audiences of up to 4,000 people.
A new version is created every year by a large team of people of all faiths and none, making it one of the largest regular community theatre productions in Scotland.
In Unbroken, the Easter story is framed by the experience of Peter the Apostle played by David McBeath, who has a daughter, Yael, who has Down Syndrome, played by actor Emilia Halsall, who also has Down Syndrome.
Scottish-Nigerian actor Michael Ogidi, a teacher from Dunfermline, became the first Person of Colour to play Jesus in the play last year and takes up the role this year for a second time.
Cutting Edge Theatre, producers of the Easter Play since 2022, is known for its INSPIRE programme, which is designed to help disabled people enjoy equal access to theatre as participants, audience members and professionals.
Suzanne Lofthus said: “We want to create equal access for disabled people but there are few places where they can train and perform. We are not seeing positive representation of disabled people on our mainstream stages and screens.
“We are delighted to welcome some of Cutting Edge’s INSPIRE participants into the cast of the Easter Play this year. We have nine disabled actors in the cast which is truly wonderful.
“This is a big, friendly community company, it’s a very safe and supportive place for them to be. We have learned how to adapt our rehearsals to ensure that everyone feels supported and given the space and time to be creative.”
With integrated BSL interpretation, audio description and designated stewards to help disabled audience members, Cutting Edge hopes to make this year’s Easter Play the most accessible ever.
- Unbroken – The 2026 Edinburgh Easter Play
- A large-scale community passion play bringing the Easter Story to life in the heart of the city
- Saturday 4th April, 2pm
- West Princes Street Gardens
- Free & unticketed
- More information at www.easterplay.org
From left are: Ian Clelland playing Judas Michael Ogidi as Jesus David McBeath as Peter and Emilia Halsall as Peter’s daughter Yael.
Photography for Cutting Edge Theatre from: Colin Hattersley Photography
Emilia Halsall as Peter’s daughter Yael with Ian Clelland playing Judas.
Photography for Cutting Edge Theatre from: Colin Hattersley Photography
