In pictures: Aldermaston community's 65-year Christmas tradition lives on
The York Nativity Play at St Mary the Virgin Church, Aldermaston. Review by Jim Crockatt, pictures by Phil Cannings
What an extraordinary beauteous experience of performance of The York Nativity Play I witnessed at St Mary the Virgin Church in Aldermaston.
It is the sense of tradition and continuity that imbibes the performances with such gravitas - as if they have been performing this work forever, which indeed they have since 1957. They are part of the very fabric of the church.
Leslie Woodley has been playing the third shepherd for 58 years and his brother Barry, who plays the second shepherd was previously an acolyte. Peter Faulkner and Warwick Brown have been kings for the last 14 years.
The work was conceived by E Martin Browne and directed by Pat Eastop from the start until her death in 2014. Since then Chris Boott has carried the torch and ensures its future.
The pace is measured and the voices are crystal clear as they resound around this beautiful 12th-century church, supported by a choir singing from the tower, as if from the heavens - ably directed by Tiffany Ebrey.
The play starts with Mary (Holly Lucas) in striking red entering the church with her maids (Alison Faulkner and Melony Bush) to a lovely choral accompaniment, setting the scene for a magical event. Mary attempts to appease her distraught and confused husband Joseph (Philip Hull) as to the godly circumstance of her pregnancy.
The shepherds are soon on the scene, singing in robust voices that galvanise the play and tempered by the statuesque Kings following the Star of David.
Herod (Peter Oldridge) and Simeon (David Shirt) both put in powerful performances. The six candle carrying acolytes then enter the show adding youth and a sense of the future to the proceedings. Will the acolytes be kings in 20 years time?
The play ends with the assembled company gathered around the baby Jesus in the manger which is a beautifully crafted tableau like a renaissance painting, lit eloquently by Douglas Faulkner, Clive Vare and Chris Chapman.
As you leave the premises you are drawn to the illuminated grave of both Pat and Geoffrey Eastop and are reminded of what a gift she gave to the community of Aldermaston.
