On the site of Oxford Castle’s medieval Chapel, ‘Passion’ is performed telling the tale of Christ’s last days on earth. All that remains now of St George’s Chapel is the underground crypt that lies beneath the outdoor stage, supporting the show’s exuberant spirit that strengthens any faith you may have walked into the space with.  The four Gospels, as recently translated by Nicholas King SJ, are dramatised in the Passion Play, a format used originally to educate the masses about the content of the Bible. Vibrant pageants include the opening scene of Jesus throwing the money lenders out of the temple and later shielding an adulterer from being stoned, offering the advice ‘If I were you I wouldn’t want to go through that again’.  Lizzie Hopley’s comfortably humorous script accentuates the human emotions the Biblical characters face in this modern interpretation.  Mary Mother of Jesus (Caroline Devlin) wrings out every last shred of pain as she struggles to accept the unstoppable tragedy facing her only son.  Since the 13th Century, staging of these pageants draws on the talents of often hundreds of local people, making the Passion Play one of the earliest examples of community theatre.  Local Designers Lucy Wilkinson and Abby Price texture the stage with a rural finish, craft enthralling masks for the choir and source gnarled bare branches for the minimal props.  Aidan Treays’ stirring choreography makes for menacing crowd scenes, from the choir dressed in earthy tones of soil, a substance ritually spread over areas in need of purification.  The swathes of dangerous, decadent red scarves initially draped over the crowd are later swapped for pure pacified white scarves, matching the white of Jesus’ collarless shirt.  Wearing everyman clothes, Jesus offers the message that no one should get in the way of true peace as white flags are flown. However in spite of the many dazzling miracles staged to entertain the audience, the scarves do not stay white for long.