Ben Hur! Theatre Royal's Triumph and a Triumph for the Gospel
"Dressing up in rags and raving a lot" is how organiser Jill Bennett described the epic stage version of the cinematic blockbuster Ben Hur in a BBC interview...last year.
In the aftermath of this dynamic production's weekend staging at the Theatre Royal, Editor Emma talks to soloist Francisca Garcia about her experience and asks why it conveyed the Christian message with so much sensitivity?
See BBC footage of Ben Hur and tell us your thoughts - should the Christian message be given in more creative ways?
The lights dimmed and gently and quietly gazillions of Romans and Jewish citizens filed into the aisles and spaces behind seating, in role already and the audience hushed. A choir of white and blue shrouded 'angels' I think, were already in place in the boxes and then the gentle arabic operatic sounds rose and filled the Theatre Royal...The tone was set and the audience were in a suitably 'moved' state of emotion before Ben Hur started last Saturday afternoon.
This mega production of 'epic' proportions, involving hundreds perhaps of local 
people men, women and children who responded to the Theatre Royal's invitation to audition for the project. A direct response to former The Archers actress Margot Boyd's bequest carrying strict terms that local people should feel the excitement of the theatre.
An eventual cast of 180 did just that last weekend! With a thrilling chariot race; imaginatively and cleverly staged with actors, actresses and props! and an incredibly moving story of Judah Ben Hur who goes through hardship, persecution and then eventually gets saved to the Christian faith....
It gave a sensitive and poignant message about Christianity - about whether 'religion' could get in the way - about a simple way of living.
One singer, Francisca Garcia had the enviable role of singing a haunting and 
moving arabic piece, serenading the climactic crucifiction scene.
(PICTURES: ABOVE BEN HUR CAST, BELOW: FRANCISCA GARCIA & FRANCISCA PERFORMING)
Here she tells me about herself, the role and the Ben Hur experience!
Tell me about yourself?
My family are from a medieval village in the olive groves and mountains one hour north of Granada in Andalucía. I was born in Bath but spent half my childhood in Spain, then moved to Wiltshire and was educated in a Roman Catholic convent school in Chippenham and left Wiltshire to come to bath in 1995 which makes me a creative bathonian I guess you could say!
How did you get involved in being in Ben Hur?
I heard about it on the grapevine and rang the theatre and got in at the eleventh hour. I am a member of vocal works gospel choir (which included singing for the opening ceremony of the Bath Transplant Games with one of Kylie Minogue's musicians in Bath Abbey this summer).
Have you done much singing in the past?
I have done Jazz workshops, and won first prize in Bath Talent competition 2006 (with Bath FM) and vocalist; as I applied for the competition with a demo album that Innes Sibun produced (who worked with Robert Plant on his three year tour in the early 90’s)… and now I'm working as a semi professional vocalist on Vocal Works album (available now), for Innes Sibbun's newest album (with XYZ records) and Antony Joel more classical album which is at its earliest stages of production.
Tell me about Ben Hur - how would you describe it?
Originally written in 1880 but adapted for Charlton Heston’s epic in the 1950’s, it is a tale of a childhood friendship that becomes corrupt by greed and power that sees justice; interwoven with a story of love and religious debate. Despite being an epic, the story is a simple one of good versus evil, love, forgiveness and hope, a heart warmer.
What has it been like - rehearsing and appearing in this musical?
A true pleasure to work with the creative crust of amazing talent at the Theatre Royal including the musical director Malcolm Newton who took us all on such a powerful creative journey and now holds a place in my soul! He is so talented, kind and funny, The directors Shane, Leigh and Zita and all crew in fact were phenomenal to watch in action, plus an amazing 160 strong cast of Bath locals who have supported one another tremendously - and I just want to do it all over again!
How was it performing it in the Theatre Royal?
Incredibly adrenaline fuelled, exciting, dynamic and one of the proudest moments of my life, I am so grateful to Margaret Boyd who left money to the theatre in order for local people to get a crack at being in the lime light and get a crack at having an opportunity to work in the theatre.
Your solo spot - pretty much 'held together' the final crucifiction scene (or climactic scene).... How was that for you?
It was such a poignant moment in the musical, I just wanted to do it as much justice as I could – I think I must have pulled it off as the writer Hattie Naylor approached me afterwards and told me her parents were in the audience and that scene reduced her mother to tears.. so a huge compliment!Did it provoke you to questions about Christianity? Or to a deeper 
place in your faith?
I was raised in a Roman Catholic environment but my choice of religion has always been left for me to decide. I have a lot of Christian friends and they are the most fantastic group of people.
I think that learning to appreciate the wonders of life, large or small make me tick… kindness and love are my religion… I have a deep faith in instinct, in believing that you must do what makes you feel happy and what feels right and makes you feel good.
I love working towards a sense of satisfaction in work and play. I have had huge highs and lows in my life, and when the negative is upon me, I have prayed to God and things have worked out for me incredibly.
Did it give a refreshing take on Christianity/the story of Jesus Christ for you?
It did indeed, and I am glad the story was refreshed to the audience. In this day and age of materialism, it is easily overlooked.