The sound, the lights and the carrying of the cross have been tested one last time in Dwingeloo, which is the scene of The Passion tonight. During the dress rehearsal, many crew members, media and curious residents were present along the high fences.
Presenter Joris Linssen quickly mentions ‘impressive’ when he sees how many people are already on their feet this afternoon. “We are just very excited. It is the first time that The Passion is in a village, and that makes it extra special.”
Together with Sabine Koning, they are, in their own words, ‘noble extras’ tonight, who emphasize the story, especially in the background with facial expressions.
That creates healthy tension, but without shaking hands, says Koning. “I especially like it a lot. We have already rehearsed here during Ascension Day and recorded pieces, then we got to know the area a bit, breathtakingly beautiful.”
Linssen even has a spoken sentence in the offing, which he has already practiced well during a 13-kilometer walk through the Dwingelderveld. “That was very beautiful, this environment is really great.”
The fact that the cast is sharing the stage again tonight, almost a year after Ascension Day, feels like a reunion for Linssen. “And then there will soon be thousands of people around us, fantastic.”
It’s hard for Koning to imagine that. “But we hope that the people in Dwingeloo will also enjoy it tonight. In such a place here, with such a large stage, that is very impressive.”
And that feeling also exists among enthusiastic fans, some of whom have been trying to catch a glimpse of the actors since 2:30 p.m. “I want to experience everything, from beginning to end,” says a scarf-laden Catharina from Friesland. She has her phone in her hand. “I’m taking pictures of celebrities, you only experience this once.”
Next to her along the fence is Tonnie van Boekel, who specially traveled from Best – just above Eindhoven – to Dwingeloo to see The Passion in person this year. “We are on holiday here, we booked it around it,” she laughs. “We want to experience this once, just see how this all goes.”
