Michael Sheen Creates Religious Event

The people of Preston will star in an open-air drama to be broadcast live on national television for the Guild.

The Preston Passion, a re-working of biblical passion plays, will be screened live on BBC1 on Good Friday, featuring the stories of Preston people.

City landmarks, including Avenham and Miller parks and the bus station will provide the backdrop and residents will be cast as extras.

People can register their interest to take part on the Preston Guild website from today.

Earlier this year, Hollywood star Michael Sheen created a three-day Passion play in his hometown of Port Talbot, in Wales, and religious groups in Preston hope to see a similar project created in the city. Talks have been taking place between BBC bosses and religious leaders, historians and Guild organisers for a number of months.

And it has now been announced that the hour-long drama will feature three specially-written filmed storylines inspired by the real lives of Preston people.

These will be shown alongside live singing and live footage of the creation of a giant cross, formed by around 2,000 people and filmed from the air.

Fr Timothy Lipscomb, vicar of Preston, said: “They want to have some cameos of things that have actually happened in Preston, like the reading of the Riot Act, and Jesus speaking to Mary on the cross.

“I think it’s a stroke of genius and a real sense of vision that Preston’s desperately needed. It will be very interesting and I think it will be very atmospheric.”

More details are expected to be released early in the New Year but the event could be tied in with Songs of Praise.

Aaqil Ahmed, commissioning editor for religion and head of religion and ethics at the BBC, said: “This very exciting and unique programme will form the centre piece of the BBC’s religious programming for 2012.

“The combination of live spectacle and new contemporary drama will be a real must see event, and I am delighted to be able to work with the Preston Guild and the people of Preston to bring this programme to BBC viewers.”

Stella Hall, director of the Preston Guild said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the BBC in one of the landmark events of this year’s celebration for the city. This major Guild project demonstrates our commitment to delivering a programme of events that will include people from all backgrounds and age groups.”

Source lep