World Watch

U.K. — A theatre group called TaurusVoice has been touring since last year with a production called The Gospel of St John. Using devices including drama, movement, ritual storytelling and song, just three actors using simple props bring to life dozens of characters from the Gospel. The translation, in modern English, is by a South African priest called Kalmia Bittlestone. “It has been written in the form of a narrative poem that is eminently suitable for the spoken word,” says actor and company musical director Adrian Brett. “The production uses the text verbatim with cuts to keep it to a reasonable length and divide the text between the actors.” When The Scottish Catholic Observer wrote up the production, the reviewer described the one hour and 40 minute performance as “outstanding theatre” and “spirit-renewing”. Although TaurusVoice say their motivation for putting on the play is “artistic not religious,” all the members are Christians. They are currently putting together tours of continental Europe and North America. (WR 376/WW1 - 4/5.03)

U.K. — In March BBC Radio began a series of Bible studies on its main UK speech channel, Radio 4, as part of the popular and long-running daily magazine programme Woman’s Hour. The name of the series is The Hidden Women of the Bible, and the first part offered an examination of the story of Abigail, Nabal and David. Bible readings from 1 Samuel 25 (New International Version) were interspersed with discussions of the significance of Abigail’s role by Tina Beattie, a lecturer in Christian studies at the University of Surrey, and Dr Lavinia Byrne of the Cambridge Theological Foundation. No knowledge of the Bible on the part of the radio audience was presumed and no reference was made to where the story occurs (1 Samuel 25). The item, lasting just over six minutes, was due to be followed in future programmes by studies of Deborah, Martha and Hagar. (WR 376/WW2 - 4/5.03)

U.K. — A Christian web-based magazine called Ship of Fools is looking to challenge stereotyped views of the Bible through a virtual-reality game show in which 12 people will compete to be the last passenger on Noah’s Ark. People from various countries have been applying to join the 3D world of ‘The Ark’ by playing one of 12 biblical characters, including Moses, Jezebel, Eve, John the Baptist and Daniel. The successful applicants will participate online from home for up to two hours a day, interacting with the other characters, playing games and completing tasks, in the hope of winning the approval of the online audience. The show will run for 40 days and 40 nights, but, in similar fashion to the reality television programme Big Brother, one person will be voted out every four days by the audience, leaving just one to win a cash prize of £666 (US$1,054). The nature of the game will reflect the playful, innovative and thought-provoking approach which has made Ship of Fools very popular among Christians since it was launched in 1998. ‘The Ark’ runs from April 20 at www.ship-of-fools.com/theark. (WR 376/WW3 - 4/5.03)