This year’s Wintershall Nativity Play, at Wintershall near Guildford, is likely to be even more successful than its predecessors. The compelling James Burke-Dunsmore, playing Herod, evokes a chilling malice when ordering the murder of the children, and telling his men to “put hurt and hate into what you do”. He utters a wicked line, suggesting that the Jewish people were ungrateful to him: “I brought you Jews to nationhood … I own your souls.”
The amateur actors (James Burke-Dunsmore is the only professional) also deliver strong performances. The Three Kings display reverence and devotion, and offer a striking physical theatre. Philip Street succeeds in transmitting the Magis’ devotion, especially with his line: “We have discovered God’s son on earth … my despair is lifted … I feel new hope.”
