British Pageant

Event of the year for British Latter-day Saints

In 2016, my wife and I were invited to serve as Communication Directors for the British Pageant. It wasn’t the best of timing for us, but we accepted. I was in the middle of my PhD, working, and publishing materials. My wife was working as a nurse and pregnant with our second child. We were also renovating an old Victorian house as I served on the Preston Stake High Council and my wife was on a Relief Society Presidency.

Over the next year and a half, we worked to produce materials for internal communications, developed a communications plan, interviewed people, developed stories, digital resources, and more. As part of our efforts we produced a map filled with stories from around the country that Public Affairs Directors could use to write local stories to show that the Pageant was not just a Lancashire story - but a national one.

What is the British Pageant?

The British pageant is a large scale community theatre project that brings together over 500 volunteers to share a theatrical presentation through acting, dance and music. There is a country fair with many olden day activities and dancing accompanied by a live folk band before entering the theatre for the live performance comprising 150 performers of all ages and from all areas of the U.K. and Ireland.

The Pageant tells the inspiring story of Heber C. Kimball and other missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who, in 1837, sailed from the United States of America to England to preach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It reenacts the amazing experiences of those who heard and embraced their message;  thousands of people from all over the British Isles,  who left their homes and travelled to America to bolster the fledgling church.

You can also watch a video about me talking about the British Pageant here:

It was a true pleasure to serve as a director on the British Pageant board and it is an enormous undertaking. The calling allowed us the opportunity to meet and interact with Latter-day Saints from across the country.

Auditions were held around the British Isles and a diverse group of people committed to serve in the Pageant. Some in the choir, others as actors, dancers, and so on. Here is what someone said to me about the experience of auditioning for the choir in 2017:

In the choir auditions we did so much singing! when singing the hymns over and over again you really appreciate the spirit in the music. As an audition, there was not a spirit of competition, but rather a spirit of brother and sisterhood to help others be their best. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was so special when the characters bear their testimony and it helps give you the glimpse behind their lives; despite them being strangers.

In this calling I also interviewed those who attended the performances to gain insights into their experience.

My wife brought a friend not of our faith to the performance:

Fab show. You could hear everyone very clearly, bright and very animated. Clearly a lot of people and worked involved and it came across as very professionally done.

And a member from the United States had this to say:

I have been to every U.S. pageant and felt the spirit at all of them... But of all the pageants, I have never felt the spirit so strongly as at this one. Right off the bat you see that the cast and support come from all over Britain and the total unity and love between them all is palpable. The stories, told by earnest actors, are touching and real. The dialogue is expertly penned. The dancing is choreographed to perfection and the lighting and music are applied like brilliant paints to a fine canvas. I was feeling the Spirit of God strongly the entre time and shed more tears of happiness and spiritual enlightenment than I have in a long time. I cannot recommend this enough to the spiritual seeker and anyone who needs a boost in their testimony. In my experienced opinion, the British have done an excellent job and I would tell anyone that it should continue each year so that others may enjoy what I have in this remarkable testimony of the faith of the British people.

More than just a theatrical masterpiece, the British Pageant carries a timeless message of faith, unity, and the power of coming together in the face of adversity. Regardless of background or belief, this production invites everyone to share in the universal values that connect us as human beings.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, a lover of the arts, or seeking to deepen your own spiritual journey, the British Pageant promises an evening of wonder and inspiration that will leave an indelible mark on your heart. I wholeheartedly encourage you to get tickets and visit in person if you can.

If you want to watch a trailer to whet your appetite then give this a watch:

Visit the website at www.britishpageant.co.uk to learn more about the show, performance dates, and to reserve FREE tickets.

Enjoy!