REHEARSALS are in full swing for the celebration of the Bewdley Passion 2016, which will reflect on the final days of Jesus.

This year, a modern choral setting of events during Holy Week will be performed at St Anne’s Church on Good Friday (March 25) and Holy Saturday (March 26) from 7.30pm.

The Bewdley Passion retains the structure of the traditional Passions – with chorales, an Evangelist narrating the story, two choruses and soloists taking on the roles of Jesus, Mary, Judas, Caiaphas and Pilate – but framed within a modern musical style.

Words and music are by Bewdley resident Jim Ineson, with choral arrangements by Heather and Alan Fairs. The musical director is Alastair Elliot and the cast is led by notable local singers including Jonathan Darby, Alan Fairs, Claire Worboys, Stuart Wishart, Mike Dernie and Harry Lewis.

Artistic director Stephen Conway returns to oversee his third Bewdley Passion event after directing the successful productions in 2013 and 2015.

Last year thousands of people lined the streets of Bewdley to see the play over the Easter weekend.

Mr Conway said: “I am looking forward to this year’s Passion immensely.

“I definitely think we are going to top the success of last year’s event. It is going to be sensational.

“It will be by far the best we have ever done, but it will be very different from 2015’s Passion events.

“I am just stunned by it all – rehearsals are going really well. It’s going to be beautiful.”

The choruses and the band are all drawn from local churches, supported by members of Bewdley Choral Society.