Submitted by:
Tracy Burick |

This past weekend’s three day run of the musical, 7 Days, was performed at CBF Church in Swan River on April 6, 7, 8, 2017. This production was the creative genius of Martyn Snell who had composed the original musical back in 1978.

Pictured above: Melanie Bird, Rita Thiessen and Linda Fried singing their trio piece, Holy Lord. Click any picture for a larger version.

7 Days was performed a total of nine times in the UK before Snells immigrated to Canada. They staged it here in Swan River, for the first time, in 1996.

After moving to The Pas, MB. in 2009, Martyn revised the whole score, rendering it suitable for a choral production.

Produced and directed by Jackie Snell this weekend’s production was a feast of local talent.


The story of Jesus’ last seven days before his resurrection was portrayed on stage, with soloists as the main characters portraying Peter, Judas, Caiaphas, the Priest, Mary, Pilate and Jesus.

Jesus, played by Shawn Campbell, engages with the people as he enters Jerusalem.	Judas, played by Kevin Penner, shows displeasure as Mary, played by Terri Boyd, has just washed Jesus’ feet and applied expensive perfume.
Caiaphas, played by Jack Dyck, and the Priest, played by Myron Thiessen, confer together on what to do about Jesus.	Jesus, played by Shawn Campbell, is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest

Peter, played by Dale Adams, watches as Jesus, played by Shawn Campbell is speaking to those arresting him.

An interesting feature of this musical drama was to incorporate the choir, not just as background vocals but, as characters in the drama.
They represented the crowd that welcomed Jesus lyrically, upon his triumphant entry to Jerusalem – with palm branches waving; as the money changers in the temple; as Jesus’ inner voice at the Garden of Gethsemane and, finally, the powerful, jeering crowd that convicts and sentences Jesus to his crucifixion.

A tortured Judas, played by Kevin Penner, cannot forgive himself for turning Jesus in. Peter, played by Dale Adams, denies knowing Jesus – for the third time, to the maid played by Danya Gnida

Pilate, played by Chris Boyd Thursday night, speaks to Jesus. The musical score was performed live by Martyn Snell, each evening.

Pilate, played by Cal Gust Friday and Saturday night, speaks with Jesus before he is sentenced to be crucified. Soldier played by Landen Burick.

Rebecca Delaurier, as the Narrator, sings a powerful duet with Terri Boyd, as Mary, entitled My God.

The climactic finale with the entire cast singing, Love Me Tomorrow.

This production was beautifully written, dramatized, and performed- a remarkable experience for the audience to engage in the last 7 days of Jesus’ life. Bravo!