While shepherds watch their flocks, many others are absorbed in the Wintershall Nativity Play. Jane McGowan wraps up warm
What is it that gets us in the mood for Christmas nowadays? Being bruised and battered from trying to bag the best Black Friday deals? The misery of missing out on all those Cyber Monday must-haves? The thrill of summoning the family for the first airing of the John Lewis ad?
Maybe not. But if all the modern mayhem is ruining the tranquillity of your silent nights, take heart. Just south of Guildford, amid the sylvan beauty of the Wintershall Estate, something rather more traditional is happening. Here the story of the first Christmas, complete with animals and angels, is about to be beautifully retold.
Brainchild of estate owners Peter and Ann Hutley, the Wintershall Nativity Play – part of a series of open-air productions on the life of Christ – began back in 1989.
“My parents wanted to create something that presented the true meaning of Christmas,” says the Hutleys’ daughter, Charlotte de Klee, who now produces the play.
From a car park on the estate, the audience is led immediately towards a field in which the story begins to unfold.
“It’s the idea of being on a journey,” explains Charlotte. “The audience walks through an area of torchlit woodland and then out into the field. Mary, Joseph and, of course, the donkey then make their way across the field to the barn where they are met by the innkeeper.”
Now comes the arrival of the shepherds – accompanied by fire and sheep – and an angel who appears in a tree above them. Not so effective during the matinee, admits Charlotte, as the ladder is clearly visible.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s snowing, raining or blowing a gale, we are all out there until the angel says ‘Follow the star’, which lights up over the big barn. Then we follow the shepherds into the barn itself, where there is a choir, as well as Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.”
The production is very much a family affair. Charlotte’s role aside, all three of her siblings have appeared in the play. And this year Peter Hutley himself, now in his 90s, takes the role of Simeon, while even Jesus is part of the clan.
“When Dad holds up the baby in the temple, saying how lucky he is to have lived to see the light, he will actually be holding one of his great-grandchildren, which is wonderful.”
Alongside the family and 100-strong cast is an army of volunteers “of all faiths and none” who do everything from set design to litter picking.
“They get involved for all kinds of reasons. We are not professionals. Either people see it as a community project or they want Christmas to be celebrated in a certain way. You won’t find tinsel or twinkling fairy lights.”
And audience figures continue to rise.
“I think that’s a reflection of the general mood,” muses Charlotte. “There is an acute need for simplicity; a sense of people wondering: ‘What are we humans actually doing?’ But it’s great fun too.”
This year the Wintershall team is putting on 11 performances and can cater for 500 people per event. There is even an 11.30am staging especially for those who don’t like driving in the dark.
“It may not be as magical,” admits Charlotte, “but it’s practical. We’ll see how it goes.”
- For further info, including dates and times, visit: wintershall-estate.com
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