A passion play is coming to Worcester city centre in April.

The Worcester Passion Play will be performed on Good Friday (April 15) in Cathedral Square.

The open-air performance will detail the story of the day that Jesus was arrested, tried and crucified before rising from the dead on Easter Sunday.

At the start of last year, 50 people began rehearsing from churches across Worcester for the performance, which had to be delayed due to the pandemic.

John Inge, the bishop of Worcester was due to have been playing a role and has said he will be reprising the role in a video posted on the Worcester Passion Play's Facebook page last year.

Worcester News: Bishop of Worcester John Inge.Bishop of Worcester John Inge.

He said: "I was due to play one of the thieves crucified alongside Jesus. Next year I will be strung up outside the cathedral for all to see, and for those wondering I will be playing the bad thief, typecast.

"It is really exciting, Worcester has not seen anything like it before. Quite often we tend to celebrate within our churches but this production will be taken out to the heart of the city and we expect lots of people to be involved.

"It will be a spectacle with real meaning and hope. Come and enjoy it and find something really precious as you do so."

The play is being directed by Tim Crow, who is delighted so many of the original cast have reprised their original roles for this year's production.

He said: "There has been a real sense of community in the preparation for the Passion play.

"Whenever a group of actors come together there is a sense of a team, but it has gone even further and has felt like family."

The 90-minute performance is a partnership between the Worcester Passion Play Ltd and the Christian theatre group, Wintershall.

Worcester is one of 10 cities in the UK producing the Passion of Jesus in association with Wintershall’s Trafalgar Square production.

A screen and sound systems are due to be installed for onlookers to enhance the experience.

Worcester Passion Play Ltd have been fundraising for the play using the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe, with the money going towards equipment, costumes and props.

The fundraiser has generated £580 from the local community.

The event will be free to attend for all those wishing to see the performance.