APRIL 5, BATH: The Mysteries, Theatre Royal Bath: THERE can't be many people who have played the role of God before, but Vumile Nomanyama not only plays the part of God but also that of Jesus in the Biblical production The Mysteries, which comes to the Theatre Royal Bath next week.

Direct from the West End, this production has been praised for its inventiveness and beauty and has a 40-strong South African cast of singers, dancers and storytellers.

The audience are taken on an exhilarating and moving journey through the Bible story with the amazing choral voices and hypnotic energy of its cast.

The Mysteries is a new adaption of the famous medieval Chester Mystery Plays.

The multi-racial cast perform The Mysteries in five languages including English, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and Latin.

"They are all South African languages but it doesn't matter if people are not familiar with them because they are familiar with the stories anyway and so they don't need to understand every word," said Vumile.

"It is more important that they appreciate the physical production and the music, which is produced with a variety of original instruments including oil drums, spoons and wine bottles."

The cast of The Mysteries were drawn from South Africa's rich and varied heritage and came from every background, every community and every circumstance. Many of those chosen from over 1,500 people who auditioned had not received any formal training but they have performed this production all over the world, including London, South Africa, Australia, Dublin and South Carolina.

"I had no background in the theatre before joining the cast," said Vumile.

"I was a teacher and choir leader but someone told me I had the talent and ability for acting and I joined the cast in November 2000."

Not only did Vumile not have any previous theatre experience but the first time he went on stage in South Africa he had to begin the production by going on stage alone and saying "I am God great and glorious," at which point some of the audience just got up and walked out.

"Due to the tension in South Africa they couldn't bear a black man playing God," said Vumile. "In the UK the reception was a lot better though and we have had standing ovations.

"For me the greatest thing about the play is the music.

"It is significant for us as many of the songs are from our culture, although we have had to change some of the lyrics to fit the production."

Playing God was not easy at first for Vumile but he has had a lot of help with the part.

"It is difficult because no one has ever met God before and so it is hard to come up with a characterisation," said Vumile. "But I have had a lot of help from the two directors which has made my job easier. Playing Jesus is not so hard as he was a human being and so I can be myself more."

For information on tickets contact the Theatre Royal box office on (01225) 448844.