A play which highlights the challenges faced by itinerant Gypsy communities will be performed in Durham Diocese this weekend.
The cast of Crystal’s Vardo will stage the nationally acclaimed play at St John’s Church in Neville’s Cross, where they will be joined by its writer and producer Suzanna King.
St John’s is a Gypsy, Roma & Traveller (GRT) friendly church, and applied successfully to host the play. Costs in hosting are covered by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Friendly Churches through a grant from the Racial Justice Unit of the Church of England.
Members of the public are welcome to join congregation members in the church on Sunday 2 February. Entry is free for the performance, which will start at 6.30pm and will last just over an hour. It will be followed by refreshments and a Q&A session with the cast.
The play is suitable for children aged 7-plus. A repeat performance will take place in the church on Monday morning, which will be attended by pupils from three local schools – St Margaret’s CofE Primary in Crossgate, Neville’s Cross Primary, and Bearpark Primary.
Associate Priest at St John’s, the Revd Nicky Chater, is also GRT chaplain for Durham Diocese. She said the play raises awareness of issues around race and injustice, as well as offering a history of ethnic travelling groups and the challenges they have faced over the centuries.
Nicky added: “It will be wonderful to welcome Suzanna King and her very talented cast to Durham and we look forward to hosting them at St John’s.
“It will raise awareness of some of the challenges facing the communities. We hope to welcome many people into church for a play which is very thought-provoking and will lead to some interesting questions and discussion afterwards.
“It’s also a joy to work with our local schools and we are grateful to Suzanna and the cast for putting on another performance on Monday morning for the children.”
The play is organised by the national Friends, Families & Travellers charity, and first premiered in Brighton in 2012. It notably came to Middlesbrough Town Hall in February 2023.
Nicky, who is also national chair of Gypsy, Roma & Traveller Friendly Churches, said Neville’s Cross is not a particular haven for the travelling community. However, GRT Friendly Churches such as St John’s offer a warm welcome, support and hospitality.