Approaching the Bible through the arts Based on stories from the Spring 05 edition of BFBS Word in Action magazine, and UBS World Report #393
Photo: NGM
The Bible Society is providing financial support for the 'pop opera' Luv Esther, which is based on the biblical story of Esther. The show is playing venues across the UK in 2005, and is a part of the Bristol-based Kaleidoscope festival.
BRISTOL, United Kingdom, June 2005 — A 'pop opera' based on the life of Esther has been playing in venues across the UK since May, with the aim of bringing the Biblical story of Esther to life for many thousands of theatre-goers who would not ordinarily open a Bible. Luv Esther, directed by Murray Watts, is described as a "Cinderella-like story, where Esther marries her Prince Charming and becomes queen". It challenges audiences to consider whether, like Esther, who saved a race from destruction, they, too, have a purpose "for such a time as this". One of its aims is to raise awareness and financial support for AIDS in Africa. The British and Foreign Bible Society is supporting the show, which may later tour Europe, the USA and South Africa.
Kaleidoscope
Luv Esther is just one of numerous events in a program called Kaleidoscope designed to expose people to Christian spirituality through the arts and pop culture.
Organized in the city of Bristol in the UK's southwest, Kaleidoscope, which is now half way through its two-month season, is orchestrated by the British and Foreign Bible Society in association with a number of other organizations. Kaleidoscope includes showings and discussions of films, a circus show which retells Bible stories, a series of discussions on controversial topics such as the relation of religion to violence and the bestselling novel The Da Vinci Code, storytelling sessions, a presentation of Bible passages in 'street language' and a retelling of the 'complete' Bible in just 35 minutes.
It also features numerous events in which ordinary people will have a chance to try their hand, including a drumming workshop, a graffiti workshop led by a professional artist and a clowning workshop. Many smaller events are scheduled to take place in local communities around Bristol.
Partners of the Bible Society in the campaign include Watershed, Bristol's art house cinema, and Circomedia, a Bristol-based circus training school. Venues for the various events include Colston Hall, the city's main concert hall, Bristol Cathedral, a special marquee, a local pub and a number of local churches.
Bible Relevance
Explaining the rationale for Kaleidoscope, Rob Cotton, of the Bible Society, said, "Because we believe that the Bible has something relevant to say to today's society, we want to give as many people as possible as many ways as we can to explore this for themselves. Kaleidoscope is our way of giving people imaginative, interactive and engaging experiences."
