Witness: Five Plays from the Gospel of Luke was a series of five 45-minute radio plays by Nick Warburton based on the Gospel of Luke, first broadcast from 17 to 21 December 2007 (i.e. in the week before Christmas Day) as part of BBC Radio 4's Afternoon Play strand. They were directed by Jonquil Panting. Jesus and the disciples were portrayed in regional accents, a trope in radio retellings of the Gospel stories since Dorothy L. Sayers' The Man Born to Be King. Upper class characters were presented in Received Pronunciation, city-folk in Jerusalem in London working-class accents, and Romans such as Pilate and the Centurion in an American accent.

Each play was followed by a 15-minute documentary presented by Ernie Rea on the themes covered in the preceding play.

Episode 4 won the Sandford St Martin Trust Radio Premier award in 2009.

Episodes The Lake - The calling of Peter and Andrew Outsiders - Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Simon and other outsiders are embraced by Jesus Jerusalem - Jesus and his disciples arrive in Jerusalem, and Judas decides to betray him Tested - The Passion, as seen by Pontius Pilate, Caiaphas, Peter, and the Virgin Mary Beginners - Mary recalls her son's birth in the days after the Crucifixion, and then the disciples witness the Resurrection

Cast Jesus - Tom Goodman-Hill Peter - Peter Firth Andrew - Paul Copley Judas - Paul Hilton (2-4) Mary - Penelope Wilton (4&5) Caiaphas - Robin Soans (3&4) Magdalene - Lorraine Ashbourne (2&5) Joanna - Rachel Atkins (2&5)

Episode 1 Baptist - Stephen Greif Elder - Sam Dale Possessed man - John Lloyd Fillingham John - Simon Treves Woman - Laura Molyneux Tempter - Peter Marinker

Episode 2 Woman - Maxine Peake Simon - Peter Marinker Friend of the sick man - Ben Crowe Child - Poppy Friar

Episode 3 Rich man - Simon Treves Pharisee - Alex Lanipekun Martha - Joannah Tincey Zacchaeus - Sam Dale Tempter - Peter Marinker Woman - Anna Bengo Lawyer - Sam Pamphilon Child - Skye Bennett

Episode 4 Baker - Ben Crowe Centurion - Peter Marinker Girl - Anna Bengo Guard - Lloyd Thomas Pilate - Colin Stinton

Episode 5 Angel - Julian Bleach Simeon - David de Keyser Joseph of Arimathea - Ben Onwukwe Young Mary - Laura Molyneux Cleopas - Sam Pamphilon

References

External links Afternoon Play