Christ Church in High Oaks, St Albans had a dramatic experience over Easter. Several church members and friends took part in a four-scene play written and produced in-house.

The innovative plot was fictional, but was based on the Good Friday and Easter story as recorded in the Bible.

The first scene showed what might have taken place over breakfast between the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, and his wife the day after Jesus’ crucifixion. An awkward meal, to put it mildly.

The next scene imagined what was happening at the same time when the High Priest, Caiaphas, had an unwelcome visit from his father-in-law. They just had time to invent an unimpressive story to explain how the temple curtain had been torn in two.

The third scene, enacted by several of the church’s teens group, moved to a house where the disciples were mulling over that awful day.

A number of budding actors showed their ability not only to memorise a script but to act it out with conviction.

The final scene, which was woven into the Easter Day church service, focused on the resurrection.

The church was packed because the normal congregation was swelled by those who come to the monthly Sunday afternoon Messy Church service.

Christians have, over the centuries, used drama to put across vital truth, from the medieval mystery plays to modern-day playwrights.

The Christ Church experience proved once again that putting a message into dramatic form can be a powerful means of communication.