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Passion Trust Conference

PT Admin
August 19, 2026
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Come for the inspiration. Stay for the conversations. Leave equipped, encouraged and connected!

The Passion Trust conference returns in 2026 with a day of talks and seminars in the historic Hereford Cathedral. An exciting day exploring topics relating to Passion Plays, the best of past open-air performances, practical seminars and workshops, and unique funding opportunities.  Connect with people who are already making Passion Plays happen across the UK. This is the only time of the year when all the best directors, producers, actors and fundraisers are in the same place at the same time!

Whether you are already involved in a Passion Play, thinking about starting one, or simply curious about how this extraordinary form of community theatre can work in your town or city, this is the place to come for ideas, encouragement and vital connections.

The Passion Trust brings together directors, producers, actors, writers, fundraisers, academics, volunteers, churches and theatre professionals – creating a unique opportunity to learn from those who have been there, done it and discovered what works. Sessions will cover everything from fundraising and marketing to directing, practical production, administration, community involvement and scriptwriting.

Buy Tickets

Tickets are £40 and can be bought online from TicketSource. Ticket includes all sessions, two-course lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

Deadline for ticket sales is 10 October 2026

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The nave of Hereford Cathedral is lit by warm lights to highlight the silhouette of Jesus with his arms out.

Don’t miss the Hereford Mystery Play

The Hereford Mystery Plays will also be performed in Hereford Cathedral on the weekend of the conference. Conference delegates can get a generous 50% discount with the code PASSION entered at checkout here.

This is an unforgettable theatrical experience – a sweeping retelling of the Bible’s story from Genesis to Revelation, from creation to new creation.  David Suchet will perform ‘the voice of God! Set within the awe-inspiring space of Hereford Cathedral and driven by a powerful soundtrack.

Conference Dinner

The conference dinner is a chance to catch up with old friends and meet new friends from all over the UK. We will make a large group booking at a restaurant close to the cathedral on the Friday evening. Prices are £25pp. The Mystery Plays star at 7:30pm so the dinner will be between 6pm and 7pm, which will leave enough time to walk to the cathedral. Contact us if you would like to reserve a place and we will send  detailed information of the venue with confirmation.

Female director in pink hi-vis vest points out something to crew standing in warm coasts with clip board folders.

Discover new funding opportunities

The Passion Trust has practical advice on identifying potential funders, understanding their priorities, getting the timing right and presenting your project effectively. There are exciting new opportunities too with grants and mentoring for emerging Passion Play directors, supporting the next generation of creative leaders in outdoor community theatre. Discover more here.

Actors in modern costume on a stage in front of glass-fronted shops on the high street with audience looking on

And there’s more than the conference…

The best thing about the conference is the people you meet and the inspiration they give. The weekend begins with the conference dinner on Friday evening – a chance to relax, meet fellow Passion Play enthusiasts and make connections before the main event.

David Robinson Actor, script-writer and artistic director of Searchlight Theatre Company, he has acted in many Passion Plays as well as written his own plays, touring productions and performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Image of a man in a clerical collar with 'presenting the Passion' text behind him

Rev. James Pacey Canon Chancellor at Hereford Cathedral, is directing the Hereford Mystery Plays which will be performed during the weekend of the conference. James has been directing church-based drama and Passion Plays for over ten years.

Lady in black top and glasses smiles up at the camera

Suzanne Lofthus Artistic director of Cutting Edge Theatre and director of the Easter play performed every year under Edinburgh Castle as well as Passion Plays around the world from Brazil to Milan to Angola Jail in Louisiana.

Image of James Burke-Dunsmore, a Trustee of the Passion Trust and Actor

James Burke-Dunsmore.  The actor who has performed the role of Jesus more times than anyone else in the UK from small beginnings in Wales to the Wintershall production in Trafalgar Square drawing tens of thousands of people every Easter.

 Venue: Hereford Cathedral

This beautiful building is the home of a community which has worshipped and worked together here continuously for well over 1,300 years. It has a famous Mappa Mundi & Chained Library Museum, as well as a Cathedral Cafe and Shop.

Buy Tickets

Tickets are £40 and can be bought online from TicketSource. Ticket includes all sessions, two-course lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

A white trolley and 'Book Now' in white text on a black background

About the Passion Trust

Passion Plays are experiencing a remarkable resurgence across the UK, bringing together people of different ages, backgrounds and church traditions to create something that belongs to the whole community. The Passion Trust exists to help make that happen – sharing experience, providing resources and connecting people who want to tell the Easter story in fresh, engaging and memorable ways. Visit the Passion Trust to find out more

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Is fundraising like online dating?

Online dating is trying to find the right match among many differnet people. Fundraising for Passion Plays is similar to online dating in one respect: trying to find the right match for your Play among different trusts and funding charities. Finding this perfect match is the key to raising funds to tell the Easter story!

Once you find trusts and funders who are of a similar mindset and value the things you value, you are well on the way to a perfect match.

 

How do we find potential funders?

The Charity Commission’s Register of Charities allows you to search for free by using filters to narrow your search. (Remember, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate registers.)
Funding Central is another register that is free to access.
For a more expensive option, you can try the Directory of Social Change’s Funds Online website which is regularly updated.
Since Passion Plays bring many churches of all denominations together, your diocese can be a good source of information and signposting. For example, see the Diocese of Bristol and their list of funders here.  www.bristol.anglican.org/documents/diocesan-funding-guide/
The Christian Funders’ Forum is also a useful source.

 

How do we let funders know our project is a good match for them?

Now is the time to do some research and really think about compatibility with the funders you are researching.

You can research their online content, websites, and also Further information will be inread through their annual reports published on the Charity Commissions website (click ‘Documents’ tab). These annual reports will give useful imformation about projects they have previously funded.

A quick phone call can also be helpful in establishing contact and goodwill as you will be able to find out more about them and let them know what you do.

Remember here that one of the key elements is timing! Some funders have a set application process that requires you to apply before a deadline. Other funders have trustees’ meetings at set times during the year and those times are good to work with.

The timing of your project also matters. Some funders like to fund projects in the early stage of development, while others like to give funding when they see other funders have already contributed.

There is a lot to think about with fundraising! But Passion Plays are such unique projects that it can also be an enjoyable process. Many funders like to hear about large community arts events that tell the Easter story in fresh and inspiring ways. Not only do Passion Plays have large outdoor audiences across the UK each Easter, they are also unique spaces of community, skill-sharing, mentoring and investing in the lives of volunteers across all sections of society. They are more than a one-off performance and the impact spreads across the whole community for many months.

 

Where can I find more help with fundraising?

If you want more help with fundraising, we have plenty more tips and advice on our website here.

We have recorded sessions from previous Passion Trust Conferences including sessions looking at Finance & Fundraising, Administration and Practical Considerations, and Q&A sessions. You can see more information and watch short helpful videos on our website here.

You can also find lots of helpful tips and advice at The Benefact Trust here or click on the image below.

three bullet points with rows of text and images in blue bubbles with white icons for help with fundraising

 

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