THE ESTHER PRODUCTION


“The audience is transported into the epoch with rich music and refreshing humour giving fluidity to the narrative. I found the production totally gripping. It captured the timeless power of the story, celebrating a young girl who carries the hope of her nation. One leaves the theatre with a sense of victory and inspiration to believe that the impossible can become possible.” Emma Ashcroft Christianity and Renewal

This piece was originally written for a group of students. We were presented with seventeen girls and two men. We looked at the love story between Esther and Xerxes and the nurturing process began.
In 1999 we ran the show again, with some new songs and script changes. As a result of this we had a request to produce a concert performance at the Spitalfields Theatre Festival with Noel Tredinnick and the All Souls Orchestra.

The present show has come a long way since its first inception. Whilst the storyline will never change, we have been able to research ancient historical archives and have come across detailed accounts which continue the story after the biblical record ends. We have also studied the social and political climate of the time, 2500 years ago.

It seems little has changed. The thirst for power still rears its ugly head right across the political landscape. Mordecai told Esther she was born ‘for such a time as this’. He is still speaking to us today.
The action of the story takes place in Susa the capital city of the powerful Persian Empire. During the reign of King Xerxes, the Jews were in exile. Esther a Jewish girl is an orphan brought up by her uncle Mordecai, who works as an accountant in the household of the King.

When Vashti is banished as Queen, King Xerxes chooses Esther on account of her beauty to be the next Queen, unaware of her Jewish origins. Haman the Agagite elicits the King’s favour saying that the Jews, who are scattered throughout the Empire, are a pernicious race and a danger to peace and unity. Xerxes confers all power and authority upon Haman who is determined to annihilate the Jewish race.
It is left to Esther to respond to her destiny and find a way to save her people.      

Listen to sample track taken from The Esther Production