By Julia FitzSimons

A simple delivery with a powerful message - this was Hand in Hand’s presentation of the Holy Week story in St Chad’s Cathedral on Saturday 7 March. 

The ‘HOSANNA!’ cantata was written in 1980 by Anne Ward, and later adapted to become this accessible and energetic experience for an inclusive cast. Narrators and singers told the story while actors portrayed the passion story in mime, moving from celebration to fear and then despair, and finally to the joy of Easter Morning, using minimal props such as a few palm leaves, a cross, a sheet and some bread.

Actors and narrators were from two Hand in Hand groups, one based in this Archdiocese and the other in The Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, who were joined by members of the Coventry SPRED group, friends and fellow parishioners. Many have learning disabilities or are neuro-diverse, brought together by faith, friendship and a love of drama.  The result was a unique and powerful retelling of the Easter story as well as a joyful celebration of a diverse and inclusive church, where everyone belongs and has a role.    

The small but appreciative audience enthusiastically played the part of a raucous Palm Sunday crowd in Jerusalem. One of them was later called out to take the role of Simon of Cyrene and help carry the cross. The portrayal of Jesus led us through the changing emotions of the story, engaging, thoughtful and at the end deeply moving - reflected in the compelling performance of the musicians and singers from Our Lady's and St Peter's (Leamington Spa) and the Cathedral choirs.

Hosanna ended with a challenge to us all, that everyone has their role in the Body of Christ, as the cast turned to the audience to perform in sign language, ‘Christ has no body now but yours’ (J M Talbot). 

Hand in Hand groups are for adults with and without intellectual disabilities who meet to socialise and to pray using drama, music and sign language. 

For more information email: [email protected]