There’s a lot of men growing beards around Ballylinan, so much so that someone passing through recently asked if there was a beard convention going on.

But what is actually going on is preparation for an Easter play called The Passion, which is being put together by 200 local people. These people are here because none other than Anna May McHugh has put the fear of God into the parishioners of Arles and the surrounding parishes of Ballyadams, Barrowhouse and Athy. And that’s why they have been spending three and a half hours every Tuesday and Thursday night since before Christmas practicing, with some people even commuting from Dublin. William Cassidy, who plays Ezekiel, the high priest, says: “She is incredibly convincing. She has a way of asking ...”

Anna May is not the only woman exercising authority down in Laois. Passion producer Bernie Dunne did pantos for 21 years before coming to this project, and William Cassidy (telling tales again) rues wistfully: “You think Twink is the panto queen ...”

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William is a suckler, sheep and tillage farmer who says he’s there for the camaraderie: “You can get very caught up in farming, especially at this time of year, so it’s a nice diversion.”

Dairy farmer Padraig Kaye, who plays Caiaphas, agrees, noting it creates a nice sense of community. It’s a family affair with some of the characters having been in it since they were children – such as travel agent Robert Moran who plays Jesus and who is the son of The Passion committee chairman John Moran.

Strong bonds are certainly forged over the shared experience – or shared tan mitts as the case may be.

“There’s very few events that could make that many guys put on dresses and fake tan,” laughs William, relaying one tale where they used tanning wipes to remove their fake tan – something they didn’t realise until the next day. But on a more serious note, at the closing meeting for the last passion, John Moran said that, God forbid if anything should happen to him, he would hope The Passion crew would do a guard of honour for him. So the participants know why they’re doing this, but everyone else thinks they’re cracked.

Margaret Walsh (who is from Killeen but “emigrated” to Ballylinan) plays Mary and says friends of hers “thought I was doing it for lent as a penance”.

Local priest Fr Tommy O’Shea is very involved in the production, as was Fr Brian Kavanagh before him, and the stellar efforts of “wonderful” secretary Mary Brennan and FÁS workers are also key.

But there’s no doubt Anna May McHugh puts the passion in The Passion. When Irish Country Living is shown the costume press (a treasure trove of adventure which glimmers and glitters with all shades of copper, lime, mustard and ruby and contains khaki soldier costumes with gold brass buttons), we’re told Anna May McHugh is to be thanked for visiting every presbytery in the country looking for vestments.

The Passion takes place in St Ann’s Hall, Ballylinan, on 27, 29 and 31 March as well as 1 and 3 April. The play starts at 8pm. Admission is €15 for adults and €7.50 for children. To book, call 059-8625125 or email mary@npa.ie.