After months of practicing songs and learning parts, 52 members of New Zealand’s Flaxmere Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints performed the musical ‘The Saviour of The World’ for Hawke’s Bay communities this Christmas season. A stake is a cluster of Mormon congregations in a geographical area.
“We (the performers and production crew) truly benefited the most because it brought the true spirit of Christmas into our lives, “said Traci Tuimaseve, director of the production. “In learning the songs and parts we couldn’t help but be touched by the message of the birth of our Saviour.”
- 'The Saviour of the World' is presented by the Flaxmere Stake. December 2013
- 'The Saviour of the World' is presented by members of the Flaxmere stake. December 2013
- Cast members in 'The Saviour of the World' production in Flaxmere, New Zealand.
- Jaydean Strickland is cast as the Mother of Jesus in the production 'The Saviour of the World'
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“You could feel the excitement when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary telling her she was to be the Mother of Jesus,” he said.
The part of Mary was played by 17-year-old Jaydean Strickland. She says her participation in the play “has made Christmas more special.”
Mr Tuimaseve said “the audience was touched by the spirit of the performance and many have expressed a change in their attitude going into Christmas.”
Wayne Te Kira, president of the Flaxmere Stake, said his family was going to focus more on service this Christmas rather than presents for themselves.
Elder David Thomson, a senior Church leader, said “the intimacy of the performance made a difference to the spirit.”
When Pam McCann, a member of another faith, heard about the performance, she asked if she could sing with the choir. She was asked to play the part of Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. As well as acting, she sang a solo, a duet, and other numbers with the choir.
“She played her part with such emotion that a few members of the audience were brought to tears,” Mr Tuimaseve said.
Asensa Tuakalau, who helped with lighting, said of the overall experience: “It helped me to remember the real reason for Christmas. It is not about the fancy gifts. It is about spending time with those we love and remembering the birth of Jesus Christ.”
Mr Tuimasave feels the event was a great experience for everyone involved. “I believe it was a spiritual experience for the performers and audience alike.”