Seán Walsh: Pilate Under Pressure 2
From a Roman perspective…
Two males… Two mics… between scenes a quick audio of angry crowd… very suitable for church or hall… or some similar space…
“I return to the Seat of Judgement… Have a servant fetch me water and a towel…”
“Release Barabbas.
Sir… and the Galilean?
Have him scourged.
Sir… and then?..
If they do not repent… if they continue to bay for blood…
Sir?..
Crucify him…”
Ideal for Lent. Full text on Amazon.com paperback and ebook. 35 – 40 mins.


i would recommend this short play to parishes for Lent and especially Holy Week. It was very well received in St Canice’s church, Finglas a couple of year ago. It is short but very powerful. It offers a perspective on the gospel story of the passion and death of Jesus that is original, striking and thought-provoking. It only takes two good voices to perform it. The lines could simply be read rather than memorized. Two stands, two microphones and two good readers are all that is needed (some sound effects would enhance it). It bears no relationship to any passion play you may have experienced. The play is beautifully written. The dialogue is paired down to the essentials with no wasted word. This short, powerful, drama opens a surprising window onto the human and divine drama of the gospel story of Jesus’ passion and death.