The Preston Passion (working title) has been commissioned as a live event and drama to be broadcast on BBC1 Daytime on Good Friday 2012. This ambitious project has been developed in partnership with Preston’s faith groups and Preston Guild 2012, who have worked alongside BBC Drama North and BBC Religion and Ethics.

However, the project still needs significant additional funding if it is going to happen. BBC North teams are currently in negotiation with several external funders. It is hoped that Preston Council will provide support in-cash and in-kind for the live event, and that local groups may also be able to fundraise towards the non-broadcast costs of staging the live event.

This project is deeply rooted in Preston. Preston people have provided the dramatic inspiration for stories of deep historical, religious and social significance – stories which retell the Easter Passion story.

Following several site visits, a team of professionals, including two screenwriters, Colin Heber Percy and Lyall Watson, worked on location for around three months with community facilitator, Gerri Moriarty. Interviews with historians, the military, social services, charities, churches and individuals yielded a plethora of stories, in a process described by the writers as amongst the most powerful and moving of their career. These stories relate to the many themes which reflect and enhance understanding of the Passion of Jesus of Nazareth, themes such as sacrifice, betrayal, unconditional love.

The resulting narrative is deeply embedded in the heart of the people of Preston, in its tradition, in its faith, and in its character. Three strong story lines have been selected for pre recorded filmed dramas as the core of the planned hour long programme. These may be interwoven with narration, alongside live footage of the creation of the cross, music and song. While born of Christian initiative, the project is geared for multicultural television and online audiences In principle approval was received from the Controller of BBC One, Danny Cohen, on June 30th.

Further detail will be released shortly via your Guild representatives and your involvement, practical and financial, sought. Additionally information will be found on the Guild website: www.prestonguild2012.com

Notes:

The BBC hopes to film in a range of locations in Preston and cast local people as extras in the dramas. In addition, the project will need the active participation of thousands of Preston people in the live event – when it is intended that a giant cross, formed by at least 2000 people, will be formed in the City Centre and filmed from the air.

The BBC1 programme would form part of the BBC’s coverage of the Christian celebration of Easter. BBC Radio Lancashire will follow the build-up to the event, featuring stories of those taking part. The development team at BBC North will seek to involved national BBC programmes like The One Show and Songs of Praise in covering the event.