Douglas Hamilton-William's
The Blind Man's Vision
Casting
We are now appealing for amateur actors to come forwards for the casting process. There are quite a few roles to fill, some are major parts and some in supporting rolls. There is also a requirement for a number of extras if you don't fee confident being in a speaking roll but still like the idea of appearing in the play.
Majhul
Majhul is a blind Syrian refugee at the heart of the story. The people he meets are to change his life in ways that he never even dreamt of.
Mary
Mary is a wild and free-spirited character with a troubled past. Her behaviour causes her older sister Martha much frustration. However, she seeks something better, and her encounters lead her in a new direction.
Judas Iscariot
Judas is an idealistic Pharisee who too easily follows radical causes. He is fearsly anti-Roman, preaching a message of “Judexit”. He believes that emancipation from Roman rule is the answer to Judean problems. He is suave and proud, but also fickle.
Jesus
The Rabbi Jesus, aged early 30’s, is portrayed as naturally likeable, with plenty of charm and charisma. He is kind, gentle and strong. He lifts situations and conversations away from the mundane, unpleasant or downright malevolent, and towards the eternal.
Akbar
Akbar is a wealthy, scheming, criminal, gang boss who also encounters Jesus. Will Jesus' words lead him towards a better life?
Caiaphas
Caiaphas is the High Priest during the time of Jesus' ministry. In the early part of the play he is somewhat in the shadow of his father-in-law Annas. Later, however, he becomes a more established figure in his own right, and comes very much to the fore during the prosecution of Jesus.
Pontius Pilate
Described by Philo as ‘a man of very inflexible disposition, merciless and obstinate’, Pilate is a brutal, straight-talking, foot soldier who has worked his way up through the ranks. He has contempt towards the Jews, and longs for a recall to Rome. He has turned to alcohol, but this has merely made him more difficult and unsympathetic.
Martha
Martha is the kind-hearted but rather feisty older sister of Mary. She is a reliable homemaker, and a proud Jew who worries about the decline of decent values and morals. Although saddened and exasperated at the behaviour of her younger sister, she does nonetheless sympathise to some extent due to Mary's troubled past.
Lazarus
Lazarus has a kind heart, and is somewhat “happy-go-lucky”. He is a straight talker with a rather dry but charming sense of humour. He does not get too distressed about things, and even seems to accept his lot in life with some degree of nonchalance.
Annas
Annas is the head of the Sadducees, the wealthy aristocrats who hold power in the Jerusalem Temple. He is not very spiritually inclined, his motivation is to maintain the status quo so that he and his family can retain wealth and power.
John
A disciple with a physical disability which is not cured by Jesus. He realises instead that following Jesus is more important than being physically healed. He is the most spiritually aware of all the disciples, understanding Jesus’ teachings more easily and readily than the others. His language shows this perception, and his words are not always spoken kindly - he can be somewhat brusque and scathing towards people who speak inappropriately.
Claudia Procula
Claudia Procula is rather more refined than her husband. She has more awareness and sympathy towards Jewish religion and culture than her husband. She tries (somewhat in vain) to soften her husband’s attitudes, and to restrict his drink consumption. In her heart she becomes a follower of Jesus, although her position clearly prevents her from having actual interaction with Jesus.
Matthew
Matthew is a proud Jew, very respectful of Jewish traditions, and with a big heart. He loves nothing better than sitting down for a good meal with his friends. He quickly accepts Jesus’ teachings and, realising the error of his ways in having over-charged people, he readily agrees to over-refund any tax to people he has cheated.
Simon Peter
A rough Galilean fisherman, very opinionated, and proud of being working class. He has very fixed opinions, and is not reserved about expressing them. He has convinced himself that he is Jesus’ most loyal and devoted follower, but, at the arrest, denies that he is anything to do with Jesus, and subsequently feels deeply humiliated.
Thomas
Thomas is a sceptical farmer with a rather pessimistic outlook on life. He believes that farming (and life in general) was better in the past. He follows Jesus rather reluctantly, then gets disillusioned and leaves.
"Extras"
The play also has plenty of scope for "extras" from market goers and stall-holders to Roman soldiers. These are all non dialogue scripted roles.