The Pilgrim’s Progress at Nelson Cathedral

John Bunyan’s famous Christian allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress, is being brought to life this month at Nelson Cathedral.

Written from prison in the 17th century and intended to take the Christian message to an illiterate audience, the story follows the journey of Christian and his companion Hopeful as they face obstacles such as the Slough of Despond and the Hill of Difficulty and encounter the Giant Despair and Judge Hategood on their journey to the Celestial City.

Former Nelson schools’ music advisor and teachers’ college lecturer David Jack wrote the script and the music for the adaptation of the story as a children’s cantata, and it was first performed in Upper Hutt in the 1970s, then subsequently in Te Puke.

David says in the coming performance John Fitchett plays John Bunyan and narrates the story, and there are eight children and two adults playing multiple roles, supported by a small orchestra, the Cathedral Choir and another choir formed specially for the performance.

“There are also three songs that the whole congregation will join in on,” he says. “It’s not about being a perfect performance, but more about telling this old story in an accesable way and about bringing people together at the cathedral.”

The Pilgrim’s Progress will be performed at Nelson Cathedral on Sunday 16 September in two sessions at 10am and 2.30pm. The play lasts approximately 90 minutes. All welcome.There is no charge for entry but there will be an opportunity to make a donation.

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