THE story of the final hours of Christ’s life will be told in Bewdley as the town closes its streets on Good Friday for its first passion play.

The Passion of the Christ will be performed on Friday, March 29, in the centre of Bewdley as the actors and audience move between sites while the story unfolds.

The play will be performed by professional and non-professional actors from Worcestershire and will feature a choir from St Anne’s Church of England Primary School singing a commissioned anthem as they lead the audience between scenes.

The cast includes local singers including Claire Worboys as Mary Magdalene, Jonathan Darby as Caiaphas and Alan Fairs as Pilate.

Director Stephen Conway said: “I am honoured that such amazingly talented actors have agreed to perform the Bewdley Passion Play 2013.

“I am looking forward to working with such gifted people as we seek to bring to life the ancient story of the Passion, the trial and suffering of Jesus.”

The idea for the play came about after the success of a production of Benjamin Britten's Noah's Flood at St Anne’s Church in February last year.

The play will begin at 2.30pm and Bewdley Bridge, Load Street and Severnside South will be closed to traffic from 2.15pm for about one hour.

The first scenes will take place on the Severnside South side of Bewdley Bridge and audience members are encouraged to follow the drama throughout the town.

For more information visit bewdleypassionplay.org.uk