PAGAN PRIDE (NOTTINGHAM UK) 2nd August 2015

Pagan Pride UK cannot be described in one word, it is organic and exists with many appendages, in is a cellular entity whose sum is greater than its parts. It combines a protest march or perhaps a celebratory parade, a music festival and an open air market, with entertainment, educational workshops, lectures and talks, all of these are placed together to form a coherent if inexpressible whole. Pagan Pride defies description, Pagan Pride is Pagan Pride.

© Chattering Magpie Photography 2015

On Sunday the 2^nd of August 2015 members of the Inner Court of the Hearth of the Turning Wheel and several friends, were amongst those that attended this magnificent event. The event itself is divided into two main sections. First there is a parade often large and noisy, which is led by the organiser and founder of Pagan Pride UK, Esme Knight. The parade winds its way through the streets from Nottingham Marketplace, to arrive at the Arboretum at approximately noon.  

© Sarah Sinclair 2015

© Chattering Magpie Photography 2015

On arrival there is a welcoming address and an opening blessing led once again by Esme Knight, then the main event proper can begin. The event is large and whilst the music takes place at the bandstand, there are dancing displays, a Community Area, an Arts Tent, talks, workshops and an open air market, spread widely across the Arboretum. There is always something happening, the programme is broad and it is a very full day.

© Chattering Magpie Photography 2015

One member of the Inner Court with friends, carried one of our Hearth of the Turning Wheel banners in the parade, I chose to arrive later and meet them at the Arboretum. Naturally, having both shared and differing interests, our group would split up and reform numerous times throughout the afternoon.

© Sarah Sinclair 2015

© Chattering Magpie Photography 2015

© Chattering Magpie Photography 2015

I chose to seek out friends and acquaintances, which meant I had the pleasure of three reprise performances. First catching Tony Rotherham, who in full costume was speaking about the local hero and outlaw, Robin Hood. Later after a wander through the market, I was able to hear Steve Jones discussing the Masonic Roots of Wicca, before finally joining the Sacred Mask Sacred Dance demonstration led by Shani Oates, Maid of the Clan of Tubal Cain.

© Chattering Magpie Photography 2015

© Chattering Magpie Photography 2015

Others of our group, joined the numerous alternative offerings that day and there can be no arguing with the statement, there was something for everyone. One particular highlight for many, was the appearance of Phil Rose who played Friar Tuck in the 1970’s Robin of Sherwood TV series.

© Chattering Magpie Photography 2015

© Adam Greenwood 2015

This was the sixth Pagan Pride UK event to take place in the city of Nottingham and I have attended all bar one. Each year the variety and quality of the entertainments, discussions, talks and workshops is not only maintained but oft actually increased. Each year the parade gets longer, the crowds get larger and each year Nottingham's Pagan Pride is more impressive.

Previous relevant BLOG posts:

ROBIN HOOD: THE MAN THE MYTH BY TONY ROTHERHAM NOTTINGHAM EMPYREAN 1^st OCTOBER 2014

http://chatteringmagpie-summonerofthehearth.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/robin-hood-man-myth-by-tony-rotherham_19.html

DAY OF MYSTERIES AND MAGIC II (SATURDAY 25^th OCTOBER 2014) LEEDS UK

http://chatteringmagpie-summonerofthehearth.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/day-of-mysteries-and-magic-ii-saturday.html

SACRED MASK SACRED DANCE BY SHANI OATES

http://chatteringmagpie-summonerofthehearth.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/sacred-mask-sacred-dance-by-shani-oates_26.html

PAGAN PRIDE 2012 A COMMUNITY ASSERTS ITS IDENTITY

http://chatteringmagpie-summonerofthehearth.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/pagan-pride-2012-community-asserts-its.html

PAGAN PRIDE 2013

http://chatteringmagpie-summonerofthehearth.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/pagan-pride-2013.html

Official Pagan Pride Websites

http://www.paganpride.org.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/PaganPrideUK?fref=ts

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR 30th June 2015 (Nottingham UK)

My first recollection of Jesus Christ Superstar, was having the musical played using one of those old fashioned reel to reel tape decks, this was during a religious education class at my school. At twelve or thirteen I was to be frank, too young to appreciate the experience and even though nominally atheist, I still thought it somewhat disrespectful.

Although originally produced as an album and later a stage musical, its success at first being based upon a hit single; to fully appreciate this musical it has to be approached as a complete work. Preferably seen as a stage show but the audience certainly, requires some degree of maturity to fully comprehend the production.

Today almost forty years later, I am a Pagan who regards Jesus Christ Superstar as one my favourite musicals and the soundtrack is played constantly. This show stimulates not simply my love of theatre but equally, my regard for the genius of Rice and Webber.

I was most fortunate to see the 2015 tour as due to a recent back injury, I came quite close to cancelling. However, I summoned up my strength and dragging a not unwilling niece with me, I saw the performance in Nottingham. My, what a performance it was.

This particular stage version of the musical brought back Glenn Carter, who has played the role of Jesus on stage in London, New York and in the 2000 film version. He is hardly a novice and it showed. In the 2000 film I felt he was often overshadowed by the brilliant performance of Jerome Pradon as Judas but on stage in a live performance, there are no such worries. Carter has stage presence and simply dominated each and every scene, as the world literally revolved around him.

From expressions of tenderness, self-doubt and during the scene with the sick, a man overwhelmed by the needs of humanity, Carter plays a human Jesus. This is a believable Jesus, a Jesus deserving of sympathy and understanding, lost ultimately in circumstances spiralling out of control. Surely this man must be the best Jesus of all time?

Carter is as one would expect in a production of such quality, ably supported by a more than competent cast. Mary Magdalene is performed by Rachel Adedeji, whose entrance is literally that of a seductive scarlet woman. Who when changing from her self-assured walk to kneel before Jesus and receive a blessing, provides us with a touching scene of redemption without a single spoken word between them.

The double act of Caiaphas and Annas is provided by Cavin Cornwall and Alistair Lee. Cornwall is no stranger to Jesus Christ Superstar having played Peter in the 2000 film version opposite Carter. Both performed ably and memorably, giving their own important interpretations to these vital roles.

The role of Pilate performed by Johnathan Tweedie was that of a traditional Roman administrator. Yet he is also a man caught between justice and a mob hungry for blood; capturing both despair and confusion, he does what is necessary but not perhaps just.

The role of Judas and a key role in itself, is given the usual sympathetic performance by Tim Rodgers. A complex and often misunderstood character that raises the same unanswerable questions with each performance. What were his motives? What did he hope to achieve and did Jesus know?

Of special mention, simply for the unique and imaginative interpretation of the role, is Tom Gilling as King Herod. Naked to the waist, with nipple tassels and a Persian wig, his performance of a Princely and decadent playboy, captured a man that was King only in name and proved a worthy successor to the mantel of Rik Mayall.

The set appeared basic in appearance yet was far from being so. As lights changed details could be seen. A dark wall would show Roman decoration, the temple is suggested by brass hangings being lowered from the ceiling. Huge doors at the back of the stage represented both the Temple and the Roman Palace of Pilate. The sets were perhaps minimalistic but equally imaginative. Our only worry was the lepers with ragged garments, who climbing the railings and negotiating the stairs, looked in danger of genuine injury.

This tour of Jesus Christ Superstar is outstanding in both cast and interpretation, walking a fine balance between the secular and the spiritual. Jesus is both man and perhaps, something more. This is captured at the end post crucifixion, when the huge doors swing open and Carter returns to the stage, resurrected in a blaze of light.

One is left finally trying to reconcile the confused history of the musical drama, the religious criticism and the critical acclaim. It is a wonder in my opinion, that on seeing this musical, more are not converted to Christianity.

Jesus Christ Superstar succeeds where many performances featuring Jesus Christ fail and they fail because in focusing almost exclusively on the otherworldly nature of the Christ, they lose the man. To understand the figure of Jesus, one must attempt to understand the two natures of Christ.