THOUSANDS of people braved the weather and packed into the centre of Bewdley to see the town’s Passion play over the Easter weekend.

The Bewdley Passion 2015 told the story of Jesus Christ’s betrayal and arrest, the crucifixion and the resurrection during a three day event.

Actors including Stuart Wishart played the role of Christ and Claire Worboys reprised her role from the 2013 production, of Mary Magdalene.

The first of the three performances, a short play based on the betrayal and arrest of Christ, was held on Maundy Thursday evening (April 2) in St Anne’s Church instead of Jubilee Gardens due to the weather.

On Good Friday (April 3) Load Street was closed for three hours to see the trial and execution of Christ as a promenade performance which began at 2.30pm.

On Saturday (April 4) saw the culmination of Passion 2015 in Jubilee Gardens, with a one hour musical theatre production titled ‘Walking with my Lord’, telling the story of Christ’s resurrection. The 15 song drama, composed by musical director Jim Ineson, and performed by the cast, was a spectacular and emotional finale to the event.

Director Stephen Conway said: “It was a phenomenal success. It was absolutely mind blowing.

“There were thousands of people there, more than what turned out in 2013. I didn’t expect half of the people to turn up due to the awful weather.

“Bewdley Passion 2015 has really set it in stone as a tradition for Bewdley. We just cannot say this is the end, it’s got to go on.

“I’m just the director, but this amazing event is down to the most amazing people involved and their fantastic work.

“The weather didn’t stop us, we had to change the location of the Thursday event, from Jubilee Gardens to St Anne’s Church. But at that event, there were tears. It was probably one of the most emotional things I have ever been involved in.

The three day event was the culmination of 18 months of work by composers, script writers, musicians, actors and staging crew.

The response to the three day event has been so positive; organisers say that more events would be in the pipeline.

Mr Conway added: “A lot of people who attended, told me they found the whole thing very moving.

“It was a huge success. There is no doubt that there will be a positive future for further events like Bewdley Passion 2015.We just need to find out how we can top this event.”

To view our gallery of pictures from Bewdley Passion 2015, click HERE.