It’s a story of death, betrayal and sacrifice, a 2,000-year-old tale that will be retold in a Medway park on Good Friday.

The Towns is staging its first Passion Play, recreating the moments leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Cast members were in Rainham Shopping Centre on Saturday, encouraging people to go along and join the audience.

The play, complete with 10ft wooden crosses and a donkey, has been written by Geoff Hufton, a reader at St Matthew’s Church in Wigmore.

The play was the idea of the Rev Bonnie Appleton, rector at St Matthew’s, and together with members of the Parish of South Gillingham it is being turned into reality.

Director Geoff Down said: “She wanted to do something quite big so she approached me and asked if I wanted to be involved.

“I thought it would be a cast of 10 for an audience of a couple of 100, it’s changed tremendously. We now have a cast of 58 and hopefully an audience of 1,000.”

Mr Down first started acting at the age of 11, and as well as running his own businesses, has spent the last 50 years acting and directing.

Now retired, the 65-year-old said: “There are several ways of telling the story but you have to capture people’s imagination. It will be a totally different experience and we’d like people just to come along and enjoy themselves.”

The cast come from in or around Rainham, and for most this will be their acting debut.

Chris Garwood, a professional actor who trained at the Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance, will be playing Jesus.

During the show, which will be performed in the open air at Parkwood Green, Rainham, the cast will mingle with the audience, encouraging them to participate in the performance.

There are four acting areas, a natural raised area where the “crucifixion” will take place, two platforms and a large backdrop creating a temple.

Members of the Territorial Army are also involved, playing the Roman Legion as well as assisting with scenery handling.

Entry is free and the park will be open from 1.30pm and the play begins at 2pm.