THE team behind Bewdley’s Passion play have announced the cast for the Easter 2015 performance which will again see the telling of Christ’s crucifixion on the town’s streets.

The first performance took place in 2013 and saw more than 2,000 people pack into Bewdley town centre to mark one of the most important events in the Christian calendar.

This year’s Passion play will be performed over three days, showing Christ’s betrayal, trail and resurrection throughout Easter weekend.

Some of Worcestershire’s top actors and singers are to star in this year’s play.

Jonathan Darby, Claire Worboys and Alan Fairs have agreed to reprise their roles as Chief Priest and Prosecuto ‘Caiaphas’, Mary Magdalene and Pilate respectively.

Worcester-based actor, Stuart Wishart, will be playing the role of Christ and Swiss-based international soprano Beverley Worboys is to perform a specially commissioned Jim Ineson anthem ‘Jerusalem's Shame’ to open the Good Friday Passion play.

Locally based actors, Jan Jones and Phillip Osborne are once again to play Mary and Herod respectively, and the role of John is to be played by Martin Salter.

Stephen Conway, Bewdley Passion 2015 director, said: “I feel highly honoured to be directing this amazing story of Christ’s Passion once again.

“To work with such remarkably talented actors is a director's dream.

“Besides the actors already mentioned there is a wealth of exceptional talent playing the other important roles in the 2015 production.

“It was only meant to be a one off performance in 2013, but within a few days I had received numerous requests to repeat it.

“After much discussion with others, I decided we would go again in 2015. I also decided if we were going to do it again, it was going to be bigger and better.

“Therefore this year’s Passion will be performed over three productions. To produce the 2015 Passion has seen a large increase in production costs and we are actively seeking sponsors for the whole or part of the event.

“The whole Easter production will be spectacular and the Easter Saturday Opera is going to be something very special.”

The first of the three performances will be held on Maundy Thursday evening, (April 2), at 7pm, where a short play based on the betrayal and arrest of Christ will be performed in the Jubilee Gardens.

On Good Friday (April 3), at 2.30pm, the story of the trial and crucifixion of Christ will be performed in Load Street and on Saturday (April 4), at 7pm, there will be a musical based on the resurrection in the Jubilee Gardens.

Footage of the 2013 Passion play is available on YouTube.

To contact Mr Conway about this years event call 01562 850054, 07774252992 or email stephen.conway2012@btinternet.com