HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY ,THANKS JESUS IS GOOD FRIDAY

• London square attracts thousands to watch passion play on Good Friday
• Violent spectacle shows trial, crucifixion and death of Jesus
• Christ played by actor James Burke-Dunsmore, who specialises in the roleA group of actors today marked Good Friday by re-enacting the crucifixion of Christ in a passion play in London's Trafalgar Square.
  The square was packed with thousands of onlookers commemorating the day Jesus is believed to have been killed by the Romans, two day before miraculously rising from the dead on Easter Sunday.
  Brisk temperatures did not deter the audience from experiencing the time-honoured tradition of the passion play.
  
  

  Passion: James Burke-Dunsmore playing Jesus in the passion play in Trafalgar Square today
  
  
  

  Torment: The play follows Christ as he drags the cross through Jerusalem wearing a crown of thorns

  

  Beginnings: Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey to a welcome of palm leaves

  
  

  

  Trial: Jesus is shown being judged by the Roman procurator Pontius Pilate
  Dramatic performances of the last hours of Jesus' life are a key part of the Easter celebration in many European countries, and this year worshippers from around the world have been pictured re-enacting the events of Good Friday.
  
   

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  • Following in Jesus's footsteps: Christians around the world commemorate Good Friday by acting out the crucifixion
  The tradition has been less strong in Britain but has seen a resurgence in recent years, with more than a dozen performances taking place in the UK today.
  The play was put on twice in Trafalgar Square by the Wintershall Players, a group based in Surrey and founded by enthusiast Peter Hutley.
  
  

  Crowds: Actors mingled with the audience as the play built to its inevitable conclusion
  
  
  

  King of Kings: The 41-year-old actor bears a striking physical resemblance to traditional depictions of Jesus
  

  Tradition: The crucifixion is overseen by Roman soldier at the foot of Nelson's Column

  

  Violent: The story was told in brutal honesty with shocking levels of blood and gore

  The role of Jesus was taken by James Burke-Dunsmore, a 41-year-old actor who has used his striking looks to carve out a career niche playing Christ.
  He has played the part nearly 60 times all around the country - and before each performance, he weaves his own crown of thorns.
  
  Adding to the physical toll of playing Jesus is the heavy cross he carried around Trafalgar Square today, made from two real tree trunks.
  

  

  Screams: Mr Burke-Dunsmore put his full effort in the dramatic performance on Good Friday

  
  

  

  Atmospheric: The play was performed in a bitterly cold Trafalger Square amidst freezing Easter weather
  

  Graphic: Passion plays are supposed to remind Christians of how Jesus suffered for their sins
  Past performances have been even more painful, however - once an amateur actor in Leicester hit him so hard with a mallet while miming driving the nails in that Mr Burke-Dunsmore had to go to hospital with fractured ankles.
  Although the actor insists he does not suffer from delusions of grandeur while portraying his illustrious subject, he has in the past channelled the Christian spirit to get out of sticky situations.
  Mr Blake-Dunsmore once walked past a group of warring drunks in Edinburgh while wearing his Jesus costume - and stopped to tell them the parable of the prodigal son.
  
  

  Giving up the ghost: The grand setting was well suited to the epic storyline

  

  Performance: The Trafalgar Square drama was one of 15 passion plays taking place around Britain

  
  

  

  Pietà: The moment Jesus' body is cradled by his distraught mother Mary after his death
  But instead of turning on him, the men enthusiastically acted out parts in the story and insisted he finish the tale.
  Today's play featured the judgement of Jesus in front of Pontius Pilate, followed by the journey through the streets of Jerusalem wearing the crown of thorns and carrying the cross.
  The dramatic highlight of the performance was the crucifixion itself, when Christ and two thieves were strung up on crosses with nails in their hands and feet.
  
  

  Crowds: Thousands turned out to watch the play in the heart of central London
  

  Spectacle: The play took place against a background of many of London's most famous tourist sights