Proclaiming Good News through musical theatre

This week, I took my nine-year old daughter to London to see Starlight Express, the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. It’s very vibrant, with loads of energy, spectacle, and in fact, roller skates!! My daughter was captivated throughout. So was I! But what message was it attempting to tell? What conclusion did it bring me to? 

Some musicals can have really positive messages to share. Others not a lot. And in lots of cases, despite a shallow message, they might be powerful! There might be something very special about visiting a theatre or watching a live performance.  

Christians are a people of Good News! It’s the Good News of Jesus that informs our whole lives –  including the message we bring to others. And we serve a creative God – the One who spoke and  creation itself exploded into life! What a chance, then, to make use of creative ways to share the Good News of Jesus. 

I even have the privilege of doing just this through the ministry of Handiwork, a small ministry my wife Sarah and I arrange just over two years ago to make use of musical theatre as a vehicle for mission and evangelism. One of our hallmarks as an organization is looking for to make our performances accessible to the deaf community through offering BSL interpreted performances. 

Next month, from 1-9 May, we will likely be touring churches and community spaces telling the story of the people behind the old hymn, “It is Well with My Soul”. With knowledgeable solid of seven actors and two skilled technicians, we will likely be bringing the message of hope in Christ to the West Midlands and the South East through Musical Theatre. We’re also currently taking bookings from churches in January 2027, who wish to host a performance as a follow as much as their Christmas outreach programmes.

We’re obsessed with telling stories of religion in a way that connects with audiences. We don’t just want people to be ‘entertained’, but to be challenged to follow Christ. It’s because of this that everybody who attends one among our performances is obtainable a duplicate of John’s gospel as they leave – a chance to think about the message of the musical further in their very own time.  

We also recognise the way in which the musical encourages Christians of their faith. There is power within the stories of men and girls who’ve gone before us and have served the Lord within the face of challenge and tragedy. Rather than shrinking back from the query “Where is God with a lot suffering on the planet?”, our production confronts this head on: within the aftermath of a Civil War, within the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, within the sinking of the Ville du Havre and the tragic lack of the Spafford daughters, here is God within the midst and listed here are people within the trenches of life with real, battle-proof faith. 

When peace like a river attendeth my way  

When sorrows like sea billows roll  

Whatever my lot, Thou hadst taught me to say  

It is well, it’s well with my soul  

It was Gospel music pioneer Larry Norman who said, “Why should the devil have all the nice music?” And it’s true! May we, as Christians, search for creative ways to point people to Jesus, including through music and drama. We have the very best message to share: the Water of life for a thirsty world! 

“It is Well with My Soul” Tour dates: 

Thursday 30 April, 6pm – St Saviour’s Church, Retford 

Friday 1 May, 7pm – Himley Road Methodist Church, Dudley

Saturday 2 May, 7pm – Badsey Remembrance Hall, Evesham (BSL interpreted)

Wednesday 6 May, 7pm – Ravenscourt Baptist Church, Hammersmith (BSL interpreted)

Thursday 7 May, 7pm – Romford Baptist Church 

Friday 8 May, 7pm – Offington Park Methodist Church, Worthing 

Saturday 9 May, 7pm – Pollards Hill Baptist Church, South London 

www.handiwork.org.uk 

www.itiswellmusical.com

Rev Gareth Hides is artistic director of Handiwork Productions.