Simon leads Jesus onto the middle of stage, and immediately Peter and
Jacobus hurry towards him. Jacobus exchanges some words with Jesus and
nodds towards Peter signaling that everything`s okay; without saying a word
Peter slowly turns round and glares angrily at Simon, whose lips curl into
a naughty smirk. His blue eyes flash provokingly and his spikey hair erects
aggressively, as he slowly raises his clenched fists. Narrowing his eyes to
slits Peter steps threateningly towards Simon, but seeing Anna`s cold
stare, he just shoots Simon a disgusted glance and retreats.
This moment Judas appears on stage, followed by Luzi touching his arm.
Judas stops, but doesn`t turn around, so Luzi has to circle him to see his
face. Standing in front of him she looks pleadingly into his eyes, but when
Judas` face stays expressionless and hard, she gives a loud sigh and
returns resigned to her seat.
Suddenly Herod jumps up from his seat. "Is it now? My scene? My song?" he asks excited like a child on Christmas morning. "Oh I`ve been waiting sooo long for this moment." He climbs onto stage. Looking around with beaming eyes as if he saw the place for the first time he begins to sing dreadfully high and wrong.
I`m coming out of makeup . The lights already burning. Not long until the cameras will start turning. And the early morning madness And the magic in the making. Yes everything`s as if we never said goodbye. I don`t want to be alone. That`s all in the past. This world`s waited long enough. I`ve come home at last.. And this time will be bigger and brighter than we knew it. So watch me fly, we all know I can do it.
A big grin on his face Simon steps towards Herod. "Hey, Norma, can we begin now?" Catapulted from his dreaming cloud by this vivid slightly mocking voice Herod frowns and narrows his eyes as he recognizes all the people around. "What are those people doing here?" he asks one eyebrow raised. "The crowd should disperse. Sh, sh, go away." He moves his hands affectively and all retreat to the background. Herod looks contented over the now empty stage, until his look falls upon Jesus. "What`s that? What are you still doing here? Go to the others." He points his fingers strictly at the background, as a slight cough is heard. "Herod." Simon waves half hidden by a column. Herod turns around and sais condescendingly. "Yes?" "Since he`s the one to be examined, he should be present." "Oh, right." Herod looks rather sourly. Then he inhales a deep breath, straightens his shoulders, closes shortly his eyes, obviously trying to concentrate on his scene blacking out the spectators from the shadows, and when he opens them again and turns to the audience, one hand in his pocket, he`s the pure image of composure and charm - at least in his opinion. JESUS I AM OVERJOYED TO MEET YOU FACE TO FACE Jesus raises his head and looks at the figure standing in front of him who obviously thinks himself as a brilliant actor; probably he`s already prepared his thank-you-speech for the Tony awarding. YOU`VE BEEN GETTING QUITE A NAME Herod spreads his arms so widely, that everyone with a backbone would have broken exactly this. But having a backbone wasn`t written down in the jobdiscription of a jewish king under Roman domination, and he did perfectly without it. HEALING CRIPPLES RAISING FROM THE DEAD AND NOW I UNDERSTAND YOU`RE GOD AT LEAST THAT`S WHAT YOU SAID An expression of pure pain appears in Jesus` face, and he fights desperately against the urge to cover his ears with both hands, so he wouldn`t have to suffer this acoustic torment anylonger. SO YOU ARE THE CHRIST YOU`RE THE GREAT JESUS CHRIST Jesus hides his head in his hand. The forms of torture have really been improved, at least he would confess everything just to make this noises stop. PROVE TO ME THAT YOU`RE DEVINE CHANGE MY WATER INTO WINE THAT`S ALL YOU NEED TO DO AND I`ll KNOW IT`S ALL TRUE Herod minces towards Jesus. COME ON KING OF THE JEWS JESUS YOU JUST WON`T BELIEVE THE HIT YOU`VE MADE AROUND HERE Jesus closes his eyes, trying to black out the penetrating voice. That can`t be. The biggest drama unfolded before his eyes and Herod has to show off just now? YOU ARE ALL WE TALK ABOUT THE WONDER OF THE YEAR Herod somehow feels he has lost his victim`s attention and kneels down twirling a strand of Jesus`s blonde hair around his finger. OH WHAT A PITY IF IT`S ALL A LIE STILL I`M SURE THAT YOU CAN ROCK THE CYNICS IF YOU TRY He pulls himself up again, so his audience can admire his whole big figure, every inch of his hobbit-like height. SO YOU ARE THE CHRIST YOU`RE THE GREAT JESUS CHRIST PROVE TO ME THAT YOU`RE NO FOOL WALK ACROSS MY SWIMMING POOL IF YOU DO THAT FOR ME THEN I`LL LET YOU GO FREE COME ON KING OF THE JEWS I ONLY ASK THINGS I`D ASK ANY SUPERSTAR WHAT IS IT THAT YOU HAVE GOT THAT PUTS YOU WHERE YOU ARE? He waits for a reaction, tapping impatiently his feet and shouts when Jesus keeps quiet. I AM WAITING His features softens and produce what´s obviously supposed to be a charming smile, but looks rather like a foolish grin. I`M A CAPTIVE FAN I`M DYING TO BE SHOWN THAT YOU ARE NOT JUST ANY MAN He lowers his voice and touches with his finger the tip of Jesus` nose, causing him to turn his face away an expression of disgust on his indifferent looking face. SO IF YOU`RE THE CHRIST YES THE GREAT JESUS CHRIST He grips Jesus`arm and drags him across stage. FEED MY HOUSEHOLD WITH THIS BREAD YOU CAN DO IT ON YOUR HEAD Jesus stumbles and falls down to the ground. OR HAS SOMETHING GONE WRONG? WHY DO YOU TAKE SO LONG? Herod looks at him scrutinizing, his arms put on his hips. COME ON KING OF THE JEWS Jesus returns his glance directly, almost asking. HEY AREN`T YOU SCARED OF ME CHRIST MR WONDERFUL CHRIST Suddenly an unearthly smile illuminates Jesus` features and his blue eyes beam brightly as he realizes that Herod really has no idea what`s it all about, that he really thinks this is just a play; all the sadness, all the agony, just a play. Seeing the almost hilarious expression in Jesus` eyes Herod startles back. YOU`RE A JOKE YOU`RE NOT THE LORD YOU`RE NOTHING BUT A FRAUD He turns away, not able to stand the inscrutable gaze and strides towards the exit. TAKE HIM AWAY HE`S GOT NOTHING TO SAY GET OUT YOU GET OUT YOU KING OF THE JEWS GET OUT OF MY LIFE Herod stands with his back to Jesus, but when he hears an odd sound, he whirls round just to see Jesus doubling up with laughter. "What?" Herod gasps his mouth staying open. "Sorry, it`s not just you." Jesus wipes a tear out of his eyes, pulls himself up and spreads his arms. "It`s everything here. It`s so silly, what a trashy soapopera, ridiculous." He stops shaken by fits of laughter. "So you find it funny?" Annas`voice cuts like a knife through the air, as he leaves the shadows stepping towards Jesus. "Annas, Even you must admit this is silly." "Well, I think it`s time for you to meet Pilate, so we all can have a good laugh." Annas stares coldly at Jesus, waiting for a twist of the corner of his lips, showing the slightest hint of fear, but all he sees is a wide smile. "He`s not the entertaining kind." "Oh, I`m sure I`ll be very entertained." Annas narrows his eyes and a cruel smirk glides over his face. "What should I be afraid of? After all we`re already dead." Annas raises his eyebrows and his transparent eyes lighten up with anticipation. "I have the feeling there might wait some surprises for you."
Suddenly Herod jumps up from his seat. "Is it now? My scene? My song?" he asks excited like a child on Christmas morning. "Oh I`ve been waiting sooo long for this moment." He climbs onto stage. Looking around with beaming eyes as if he saw the place for the first time he begins to sing dreadfully high and wrong.
I`m coming out of makeup . The lights already burning. Not long until the cameras will start turning. And the early morning madness And the magic in the making. Yes everything`s as if we never said goodbye. I don`t want to be alone. That`s all in the past. This world`s waited long enough. I`ve come home at last.. And this time will be bigger and brighter than we knew it. So watch me fly, we all know I can do it.
A big grin on his face Simon steps towards Herod. "Hey, Norma, can we begin now?" Catapulted from his dreaming cloud by this vivid slightly mocking voice Herod frowns and narrows his eyes as he recognizes all the people around. "What are those people doing here?" he asks one eyebrow raised. "The crowd should disperse. Sh, sh, go away." He moves his hands affectively and all retreat to the background. Herod looks contented over the now empty stage, until his look falls upon Jesus. "What`s that? What are you still doing here? Go to the others." He points his fingers strictly at the background, as a slight cough is heard. "Herod." Simon waves half hidden by a column. Herod turns around and sais condescendingly. "Yes?" "Since he`s the one to be examined, he should be present." "Oh, right." Herod looks rather sourly. Then he inhales a deep breath, straightens his shoulders, closes shortly his eyes, obviously trying to concentrate on his scene blacking out the spectators from the shadows, and when he opens them again and turns to the audience, one hand in his pocket, he`s the pure image of composure and charm - at least in his opinion. JESUS I AM OVERJOYED TO MEET YOU FACE TO FACE Jesus raises his head and looks at the figure standing in front of him who obviously thinks himself as a brilliant actor; probably he`s already prepared his thank-you-speech for the Tony awarding. YOU`VE BEEN GETTING QUITE A NAME Herod spreads his arms so widely, that everyone with a backbone would have broken exactly this. But having a backbone wasn`t written down in the jobdiscription of a jewish king under Roman domination, and he did perfectly without it. HEALING CRIPPLES RAISING FROM THE DEAD AND NOW I UNDERSTAND YOU`RE GOD AT LEAST THAT`S WHAT YOU SAID An expression of pure pain appears in Jesus` face, and he fights desperately against the urge to cover his ears with both hands, so he wouldn`t have to suffer this acoustic torment anylonger. SO YOU ARE THE CHRIST YOU`RE THE GREAT JESUS CHRIST Jesus hides his head in his hand. The forms of torture have really been improved, at least he would confess everything just to make this noises stop. PROVE TO ME THAT YOU`RE DEVINE CHANGE MY WATER INTO WINE THAT`S ALL YOU NEED TO DO AND I`ll KNOW IT`S ALL TRUE Herod minces towards Jesus. COME ON KING OF THE JEWS JESUS YOU JUST WON`T BELIEVE THE HIT YOU`VE MADE AROUND HERE Jesus closes his eyes, trying to black out the penetrating voice. That can`t be. The biggest drama unfolded before his eyes and Herod has to show off just now? YOU ARE ALL WE TALK ABOUT THE WONDER OF THE YEAR Herod somehow feels he has lost his victim`s attention and kneels down twirling a strand of Jesus`s blonde hair around his finger. OH WHAT A PITY IF IT`S ALL A LIE STILL I`M SURE THAT YOU CAN ROCK THE CYNICS IF YOU TRY He pulls himself up again, so his audience can admire his whole big figure, every inch of his hobbit-like height. SO YOU ARE THE CHRIST YOU`RE THE GREAT JESUS CHRIST PROVE TO ME THAT YOU`RE NO FOOL WALK ACROSS MY SWIMMING POOL IF YOU DO THAT FOR ME THEN I`LL LET YOU GO FREE COME ON KING OF THE JEWS I ONLY ASK THINGS I`D ASK ANY SUPERSTAR WHAT IS IT THAT YOU HAVE GOT THAT PUTS YOU WHERE YOU ARE? He waits for a reaction, tapping impatiently his feet and shouts when Jesus keeps quiet. I AM WAITING His features softens and produce what´s obviously supposed to be a charming smile, but looks rather like a foolish grin. I`M A CAPTIVE FAN I`M DYING TO BE SHOWN THAT YOU ARE NOT JUST ANY MAN He lowers his voice and touches with his finger the tip of Jesus` nose, causing him to turn his face away an expression of disgust on his indifferent looking face. SO IF YOU`RE THE CHRIST YES THE GREAT JESUS CHRIST He grips Jesus`arm and drags him across stage. FEED MY HOUSEHOLD WITH THIS BREAD YOU CAN DO IT ON YOUR HEAD Jesus stumbles and falls down to the ground. OR HAS SOMETHING GONE WRONG? WHY DO YOU TAKE SO LONG? Herod looks at him scrutinizing, his arms put on his hips. COME ON KING OF THE JEWS Jesus returns his glance directly, almost asking. HEY AREN`T YOU SCARED OF ME CHRIST MR WONDERFUL CHRIST Suddenly an unearthly smile illuminates Jesus` features and his blue eyes beam brightly as he realizes that Herod really has no idea what`s it all about, that he really thinks this is just a play; all the sadness, all the agony, just a play. Seeing the almost hilarious expression in Jesus` eyes Herod startles back. YOU`RE A JOKE YOU`RE NOT THE LORD YOU`RE NOTHING BUT A FRAUD He turns away, not able to stand the inscrutable gaze and strides towards the exit. TAKE HIM AWAY HE`S GOT NOTHING TO SAY GET OUT YOU GET OUT YOU KING OF THE JEWS GET OUT OF MY LIFE Herod stands with his back to Jesus, but when he hears an odd sound, he whirls round just to see Jesus doubling up with laughter. "What?" Herod gasps his mouth staying open. "Sorry, it`s not just you." Jesus wipes a tear out of his eyes, pulls himself up and spreads his arms. "It`s everything here. It`s so silly, what a trashy soapopera, ridiculous." He stops shaken by fits of laughter. "So you find it funny?" Annas`voice cuts like a knife through the air, as he leaves the shadows stepping towards Jesus. "Annas, Even you must admit this is silly." "Well, I think it`s time for you to meet Pilate, so we all can have a good laugh." Annas stares coldly at Jesus, waiting for a twist of the corner of his lips, showing the slightest hint of fear, but all he sees is a wide smile. "He`s not the entertaining kind." "Oh, I`m sure I`ll be very entertained." Annas narrows his eyes and a cruel smirk glides over his face. "What should I be afraid of? After all we`re already dead." Annas raises his eyebrows and his transparent eyes lighten up with anticipation. "I have the feeling there might wait some surprises for you."