Autumn, 2015. Christian Voice, 
the notorious Christian drama 
group based in Bexhill, are 
aiding and abetting "The 
Runaway Slave", Onesimus.

Onesimus in chains

Word reaches Paul that his 
assistant is not a free man 
and is travelling without the 
permission of his master, 
Philemon.  To bring these two 
back together peaceably will 
take considerable tact as 
Paul writes to Philemon.

This is the story behind that 
letter.
  • But why was such an intervention necessary?
  • What had happened between these two men?
  • Will Paul’s letter persuade Philemon to accept back Onesimus?
  • Is there a greater insight for Philemon in this story?

The short (25 verses) epistle to Philemon is our inspiration for “The Runaway Slave“.  There’s a lot to explore anew – we hope that we managed to do the subject matter justice.

Slavery seems to us a dim and distant concept but for some – even now – it is all too real.  St. Paul urges Philemon to re-evaluate his relationship with Onesimus; placing them on a more even platform, perhaps.

Theft and rule-breaking have consequences, which even St. Paul was loath to interfere with.  A lesson Onesimus had to accept in order to move forward.

Some of our characters have a pretty hard time of it in this play.  We hope the audience, though, did not!

In 2015 the play was performed by Christian Voices six times.  The playwright, Alan Young, produced a seven act play with six songs from our song-meister, Dave Chamberlin.

The cast list can be found here.

The programme produced can be found here.

The complete script can be found here.

The production was performed:

  • Saturday, 3rd October, 2:00pm, Bexhill United Reformed Church
  • Monday, 5th October, 7:45pm, St. Martha’s Church, Little Common
  • Wednesday, 7th October, 7:45pm, Christchurch Methodist Church, Bexhill
  • Thursday, 8th October, 8:00pm, St. Michael’s Church, Bexhill
  • Saturday, 10th October, 3:00pm, Ninfield Methodist Church Hall
  • Sunday, 11th October, 3:00pm, St. Peter’s Community Centre, Bexhill

All performances were in aid of the “Children with Cancer Fund“, for which we raised £500 thanks to the generosity of our audiences.

Thank you.

Children with Cancer Fund