THOUSANDS of people are expected to converge on the centre of Manchester tonight to take part in a live TV performance of the Easter story.
It is a tribute to Manchester's flair to mark a truly great occasion in its own style. The huge re-enactment of the Good Friday Bible story - called the Manchester Passion - culminates in a spectacular Albert Square sing-along broadcast on the BBC. The production has been given a thoroughly-modern twist with pop stars and famous actors playing the lead biblical roles and a host of legendary Mancunian pop songs instead of hymns.
When Jesus arrives in Manchester for the performance tonight it won't be on a donkey - it will be on a bike. A procession of 250 people will snake through the city centre carrying light sticks and the centrepiece of the show - an eight-metre-long luminous cross, weighing half a ton. It will take 20 men to carry it into Albert Square for the Crucifixion.
Those taking part in the parade include representatives of almost every religion, even atheists.
Spectacular
BBC Three, which will broadcast the spectacular, is inviting people to flock to Albert Square at 8 tonight to take part. A spokesman said: "Manchester Passion is a contemporary retelling of the last hours of Jesus's life told through the music of Manchester."
A crowd in Albert Square will be invited to join in songs including Sit Down by James, M People's Search for a Hero and the Oasis anthem Wonderwall. Police Insp Mike Schofield said: "There will be road closures around Albert Square from 2pm till about 11pm and rolling closures as the parade travels through the city centre."
The Passion's Albert Square highlight will see the audience being invited to choose between Jesus and Barabbas.
Bishop of Manchester Nigel McCulloch said: "Manchester Passion has a sincerity and ability to shock and connect that is not far removed from how it must have been on the first Good Friday."
Manchester Passion will be broadcast live on BBC Three at 9 tonight and on BBC Two at 11pm.
Members of the public who would like to participate are invited to Albert Square in Manchester from 7.30pm onwards.
* ON Easter Monday Clayton-born X Factor winner Shayne Ward plays a free gig in Albert Square.
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Exelent manchester once again leading the way .Its a new slant on a age old story,and it reaches the young of the day.geat city great ideas .
i think this a really good idea!and would be interested to know what other people think ?
Very ambitious, the timing on this will need to be perfect if they are to pull it off...
Amazing. Whatever your religion it was hard not to be moved by the message and the sense of spirit.
A fantastic public art display which should be repeated.
What a shame the BBC cut off the last line of the transmission. This spoiled a truly wonderful broadcast.
I've just watched it on TV - FANTASTIC!!!! I'm proud to be a Mancunian... I hope it's an annual event!
I saw this on telly (BBC3) and I was very impressed ! It was excellent!!! and very well put together-i hope Manchester sees more like it!.WELL DONE ALL! and God Bless x
FANTASTIC. The BBC and all involved should be very proud of themselves. Tonight's Manchester Passion is worthy of international acclaim, not just from us Mancs. A peaceful Easter weekend to all.
Thank you to all concerned for keeping the message of Easter alive . Manchester is leading the way !
I watched this last night and thought it was spectacular, thought provoking and it bought home the realities of an age old story. It was brilliantly done, the use of the songs was inspired and at times, tear jerking!! Well done to all who took part - it was an amazing piece of television.
I watched this on TV and thought it was absolutle fantastic. An extremely positive image of Manchester as a vibrant modern city. Religion with an up to date slant & relevant to today's society. Well done to whoever came up with the idea and the organisers
The passion was a sensation.
It deserves much for the open and honest approach to telling a story which for some is religious make believe, but for many links so closely with the problems and fears we have in the 21st century.
It didwhat it said it would do, and more. There was much hidden emotion in the folk around us.
And to see it on the TV at 11pm was moving.
The picture of the giant cross in the doorway of the town hall, says much for the courage and determination of the producers.
It is an image we may do well to consider, and reflect upon.
A great secular concept that made me proud to be a Mancunian - pity it clashed with a depressing Man United (gone to the devil) performance. Is there a moral there?
We watched it live on BBC3 and thought it was FANTASTIC..! I work in the Town Hall and have seen Alber Square being transformed over the past week and the 'sound checks' we had to put up with were wll worth it.
Well done to all involved.!
The manchester Passion was something really special. A different way of looking at religion in these modern times. Only a shame the real bands of manchester couldn't have been there. And last time i checked isn't Robbie Williams from Stoke?
I was there and I looked like Jesus man
In a word SUPERB.
Even for a non-religious person like myself, I found it one of the most compelling bits of television from the BBC in a long while.
Keith Allen summed it up during the performance. "Only in Manchester".
Does anyone know if this will be shown again on tv? I was at the passion while visting my home town for the weekend very proud to be there and to be a mancunian!! but not seen it on telly yet.
Fabulous night a joy to watch. Great to see other religions involved, just proves what a vibrant city we are. Just a quick one cdtm from the northern quarter a manc? We all live around Ancoats and have done for years and generations. Ancoats is where we are from, not some ponsy developers marketing gimmick. The last time I did maths 4 quarters made a whole, now we seem to expanding mathematics to a new level in Manchester, with our concept of quarters!!!!
Please,please, please let's have a DVD.
Wish I'd been there.
Won't make that mistake next time