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91Èȱ¬ THREE invites public to Manchester Passion
91Èȱ¬ THREE is inviting people in
the North West to converge on Manchester for a major live event this
Easter - Manchester Passion.
Ìý
Manchester Passion is a contemporary retelling of the last hours of Jesus' life told through the music of Manchester. A crowd in Albert Square will be invited to join in the choruses of popular songs including Sit Down, Search for a Hero and Wonderwall.
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Keith Allen (Bodies, 24 Hour Party People) presents the event
live from Manchester's Albert Square (Friday 14 April, 9.00-10.00pm). People
will be able to watch the story unfold, before being invited to re-enact the
drama of the Passion's crowd scene, choosing between Jesus and Barrabas.
Ìý
Primal Scream vocalist, Denise Johnson, has been confirmed to
take the role of the Virgin Mary. Tim
Booth, lead singer of James, plays Judas; Darren
Morfitt (Dog Soldiers) plays Jesus and Nicholas
Bailey (Dr Antony Trueman
in EastEnders) plays Peter.
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Music from the cream of Manchester bands will be performed live by characters in the drama, who will be accompanied by a 16-piece string orchestra and busking disciples who play guitar, cello and accordion.
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Music includes Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division);
Search For A Hero (M People); Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now (The
Smiths); Blue Monday (New Order) and Wonderwall (Oasis). Ìý
Albert Square is the destination point for a procession who will carry a huge
cross. The eight metre long luminous cross, weighing half a ton, will be borne
aloft through the streets of Manchester to arrive in Albert Square for the
moment of Crucifixion.
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The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, says: "Manchester Passion has a sincerity and an ability to shock and connect that is not far removed from how it must have been on the first Good Friday."
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Manchester Passion is produced by Classical Music Television, makers of the award-winning Flashmob - The Opera.
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It is executive produced by Sue
Judd and directed by
Phil Chilvers. The music has been arranged by Philip
Sheppard, Professor
of Cello at the Royal Academy of Music. Ìý
Manchester Passion will be broadcast live on 91Èȱ¬ THREE at 9.00pm on Good Friday
(14 April) and repeated on 91Èȱ¬ TWO at 11.00pm.
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People are invited to Albert Square in Manchester from 8.00pm onwards. ENTRY
IS FREE.
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Members of the public who would like further information should call 0845
30 31 500 or visit bbc.co.uk/bbcthree
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Press Accreditation: Media who wish to attend Manchester Passion should contact
91Èȱ¬ Manchester Press Office by noon on Thursday 13 April for full
press accreditation, press pass and to arrange interviews.
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Notes to Editors
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Members of the public are invited to Albert Square from 8.00pm onwards. The event
finishes at 10.00pm.
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Warm-up entertainment includes the Manchester comedian John
Warburton and a screening of the 91Èȱ¬ TWO rock
documentary, And God Created
Manchester.
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The songs are performed as follows:
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- Jesus sings You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side (Morrissey)
- Mary sings Cast No Shadow (Oasis)
- Jesus sings Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division) at the
Last Supper
- Mary sings Search For A Hero (M People)
- Judas sings Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now (The Smiths)
as he is about to betray Jesus
- Jesus sings Sit Down (James) to the sleeping
disciples
- Jesus and Judas sing Blue Monday (New Order)
- Peter sings I Am The Resurrection (The Stone Roses) when
he betrays Jesus
- Mary sings Angels (Robbie Williams)
- Jesus and Pontius Pilate sing Wonderwall (Oasis)
- Mary sings Sunshine After The Rain (Elkie Brooks)
Ìý
Manchester Passion is one of the first events in Manchester
City Council's new 2006 Events Programme. Ìý
For further details: www.manchesterlive.co.uk. Ìý
HH2
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