Michael Sheen in Passion

An event not to Pass on...

The people of Preston will star in an open-air drama to be broadcast live on national television for the Guild.

The Preston Passion, a re-working of biblical passion plays, will be screened live on BBC1 on Good Friday, featuring the stories of Preston people.

City landmarks, including Avenham and Miller parks and the bus station will provide the backdrop and residents will be cast as extras.

People can register their interest to take part on the Preston Guild website from today.

Earlier this year, Hollywood star Michael Sheen created a three-day Passion play in his hometown of Port Talbot, in Wales, and religious groups in Preston hope to see a similar project created in the city. Talks have been taking place between BBC bosses and religious leaders, historians and Guild organisers for a number of months.

And it has now been announced that the hour-long drama will feature three specially-written filmed storylines inspired by the real lives of Preston people.

These will be shown alongside live singing and live footage of the creation of a giant cross, formed by around 2,000 people and filmed from the air.

Fr Timothy Lipscomb, vicar of Preston, said: “They want to have some cameos of things that have actually happened in Preston, like the reading of the Riot Act, and Jesus speaking to Mary on the cross.

“I think it’s a stroke of genius and a real sense of vision that Preston’s desperately needed. It will be very interesting and I think it will be very atmospheric.”

More details are expected to be released early in the New Year but the event could be tied in with Songs of Praise.

Aaqil Ahmed, commissioning editor for religion and head of religion and ethics at the BBC, said: “This very exciting and unique programme will form the centre piece of the BBC’s religious programming for 2012.

“The combination of live spectacle and new contemporary drama will be a real must see event, and I am delighted to be able to work with the Preston Guild and the people of Preston to bring this programme to BBC viewers.”

Stella Hall, director of the Preston Guild said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the BBC in one of the landmark events of this year’s celebration for the city. This major Guild project demonstrates our commitment to delivering a programme of events that will include people from all backgrounds and age groups.”

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Carrie

Michael Sheen Calls a Tearful Fan

Wow, so sweet

Star's phone call eases worries for upset Keava

A LITTLE girl left in tears after watching Michael Sheen's character being beaten up by guards during The Passion has been put at ease by the actor himself.

It was all a bit too much for Keava Evans when she saw some of the emotional and realistic scenes of the theatre production set in Port Talbot last weekend.

But the 7-year-old was not left upset for long, as the kindhearted actor made a special effort to speak to her on the phone to make sure she was OK.

Her grandmother Sandra McCalmon, of Southville Road, Sandfields, said she could not believe it when the Hollywood star was at the other end of the phone.

"He is fabulous. It was so nice of him," she said.

"Elinor, my son's girlfriend who had been a performer, was at the after show party on Monday evening.

"I rang her to ask her how it was going and if she could get a photo of Michael to show Keava that he was OK.

"She said she had just spoken to him and had told him about Keava."

Seconds later Michael came back over to Elinor and picked up the phone to speak to Keava.

"She was crying to him on the phone," said Mrs McCalmon.

"He said 'Hi I'm Michael and I'm fine my darling'.

"She started to smile and she said she didn't like to see him being hurt and he told her that he was fine.

"He is such a big superstar but how nice was that?

"He is so down to earth. I could not believe it was him on the phone."

Mrs McCalmon, 58, said it was while watching the trial scenes at Port Talbot's civic square when Keava first began to get upset.

"She was with her mum, dad and brother. I rang them and they said she was crying.

"She became hysterical so I took her home.

"Keava was sobbing and was so frightened to see Michael being beaten up.

"She stayed with me Sunday night and we did go to the crucifixion where she was still crying a bit.

"But she is fine now. We were looking at a few photos and she is still not sure how to take it but she is now much better after speaking to Michael.

"He also has given her a couple of signed photos."

Keava, of Fairfield Avenue, who attends Sandfields Primary School, said she was looking forward to telling all her friends about her special phone call.

"It was a nice surprise," she said. Although she added that she found the play "quite scary".

The Frost/Nixon and Twilight star has a daughter, Lily, who lives in Los Angeles.

thisissouthwales
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Carrie

New Michael Sheen Appearances for Passion Play

- BBC Radio 2: Simon Mayo Drivetime (listen)
- BBC Radio 3: Night Waves (listen)
- BBC Radio 4: Today (listen)
- BBC Radio 5: interview with Richard Bacon (listen)






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Carrie

Passion Play: Preparations/Rehearsals

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Carrie