Public Servant Lifestyle

The Manchester Passion, a live contemporary retelling of the last hours of Jesus’ life told through the music of Manchester and an innovative collaboration between the BBC and Manchester City Council, has picked up two Royal Television Society (RTS) Awards.

At the presentation of the North West Awards at Manchester's new Hilton Hotel, the Manchester Passion won the 'Best Network Factual Entertainment' category (beating Dragons Den and The Story of the Pogues: Fairytale of New York); and at the national RTS Craft and Design award ceremony in London, Manchester Passion won 'Best Sound' in the 'Entertainment & Non-Drama Productions' category, beating stiff competition from Planet Earth and Tsunami: 7 Hours on Boxing Day.

Broadcast live on Good Friday - on BBC Three - an ecstatic 8000 strong crowd gathered in Albert Square to join in popular Manchester songs including Sit Down, Search for the Hero and Wonderwall while passers by at various points in Manchester City Centre that evening were treated to unexpected performances of live Manchester music.

Keith Allen (the new BBC TV Robin Hood, 24 Hour Party People) presented the event and Primal Scream vocalist, Denise Johnson, gave a moving performance as The Virgin Mary. Tim Booth - former lead singer of James and now a solo performer - played Judas Iscariot, Darren Morfitt (Dog Soldiers) played Jesus and Nicholas Bailey (BBC TVs EastEnders) played Peter.

Manchester Bands

Music from the cream of Manchester bands including: Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart, Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now by The Smiths, Blue Monday by New Order) and Wonderwall by Oasis - were performed live by characters in the drama, accompanied by a 16-piece string orchestra and busking disciples.

A procession carrying a huge luminous cross through the streets of Manchester arrived in Albert Square for the Crucifixion scene and Jesus rose to the top of the town centre Town Hall Clock Tower for a climatic rendition of I am the Resurrection by the Stone Roses.

Councillor Mark Hackett, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Culture and Leisure said: "Manchester, the original modern city, proved to be the perfect backdrop to this innovative production that injected a new vibrancy to the traditional passion play. Audiences from all over the world enjoyed the contemporary interpretation, brought to life by Manchester's unique music and iconic city centre. It was good that many parents brought their children to see Manchester Passion too."

Manchester Passion Executive Producer Sue Judd adds: "I'm absolutely delighted that Manchester Passion has won two Royal Television Society Awards. It was a high risk operation and we had no idea whether it would work technically on the night - or whether anyone would turn up to watch! Manchester as ever came up trumps with over 8000 people in Albert Square and the largest television audience BBC Three has ever had for an arts programme. These awards are a fitting tribute to the fantastic contributions from all concerned - Manchester City Council, local faith groups, cast, crew and production. I'm only sad that our wonderful director Phil Chilvers who died in September wasn't here to pick up the awards himself."

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