Contemporary retelling of the last hours of Jesus's life.
(Shown at 9pm on BBC3)
The Inside Story: page 122

The Inside Story
"It's probably the first time anyone has performed a drama with music live on the streets of a city for television," says Sue Judd, executive producer of Manchester Passion, which goes out live on BBC3 at 9.00pm and then gets a repeat on BBC2 at 11.00pm. It all unfolds in the centre of Manchester with a procession following a mile-long course to culminate in Albert Square in front of the town hall.

"It updates the traditional passion plays that people have performed since medieval times. It's an absolutely faithful interpretation of the story," says Judd. "What is going to be surprising to people is that we're also using contemporary songs, but there's nothing mocking or irreverent about it. We're not rewriting the greatest story every told."

The production draws on Manchester's fund of indie music, including songs by Joy Division, New Order, the Smiths, Oasis and James. James's former singer Tim Booth (left) plays Judas, but he doesn't get to do the band's big song, Sit Down: that's sung by actor Darren Morfitt as Jesus.

Faith, hope and charity: page 35