FINAL rehearsals are underway for the performance of Bewdley Passion 2015 next weekend.

The three-day event will be played out over the lead up to and over the Easter weekend and will tell the story of betrayal and the arrest of Christ, the crucifixion and the resurrection.

Even in the final rehearsals, new script, music and libretto has been added to enhance the production and allow the audience to feel the power of the story.

An extended script has been added to the Maundy Thursday play to enhance the story of the betrayal and arrest of Christ in the Garden on Gethsemane. The production will now not only set the scene for the main event, but will be a stand alone production in its own right.

Stephen Conway, director, said: “The whole production has come together wonderfully well.

“The actors, singers and musicians as well as the production crew have committed everything to it. I am certain they are as proud as I am of the end result.

“Because we are telling the story of the birth of Christianity everyone involved has treated the production with the reverence and compassion it justly deserves.

“Bewdley Passion 2015 will be the culmination of 18 months of work by some amazingly talented composers, script writers, musicians, actors and staging crew. They have made my job very easy.”

The weekend will begin with the betrayal part of the production on Thursday, April 2, from 7pm to 7.45pm, in the Jubilee Gardens, in Bewdley.

On Friday, April 3, from 2.30pm, the crucifixion will take will take place in Bewdley Town Centre, on Load Street.

Finally, on Saturday, April 4, between 7pm and 8pm, a musical version of the resurrection will take place in Jubilee Gardens.

Mr Conway added: “All the participants in this production are Worcestershire based or have direct lineage with Bewdley.

“I am often overwhelmed by the immense talent that this county has on offer.

“I am also extremely grateful to the people of Bewdley, the local council, councillors and officials for all their courtesy and support.

"I have received contact from a number of people and organisations from around the UK asking for information as to timings of the plays and musical.

"I am absolutely certain that, Bewdley Passion 2015 combining the enhanced Maundy Thursday, the Good Friday trial and crucifixion play and the Easter Saturday resurrection musical drama, will be productions that will last long in the memory."