The BBC plans to mark the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ this Easter with an hour-long live procession through the streets of Manchester featuring pop stars from The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays and featuring songs by The Smiths and New Order.In the programme, called Manchester Passion, a character representing Jesus will sing the legendary Joy Division anthem Love Will Tear Us Apart before dueting his arch-betrayer Judas on the New Order hit Blue Monday, according to senior church sources involved in the production.
Mary Magdelene, the penitent whore of the New Testament, is also getting in on the act: she is being lined up to sing the Buzzcocks hit Ever Fallen in Love (with Someone You Shouldn't have) accompanied by a string band.
Former Happy Monday and Celebrity Big Brother winner Bez will play a disciple.
The climax of the event sees Jesus sing the Smiths classic song Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now as he is being flayed by Roman soldiers. He will then come face-to-face with his Roman prosecutor Pontius Pilate with the two of them singing a duet of the Oasis hit Wonderwall and its chorus:
"I said maybe
You're gonna be the one who saves me?
And after all
You're my wonderwall."
I... that's... but... they...
Posted by: Duncan at January 27, 2006 05:40 PMAmazing. Absolutely Amazing.
Posted by: Chach at January 27, 2006 06:12 PMAre you sure you didn't pull that from The Onion?
I'd sell my soul to be a part of that show.
Clever play on the word "mark" there, I suppose ...
Posted by: John Gould at January 27, 2006 07:08 PMMaybe Devo 2.0 will show up!
Posted by: Oliver at January 27, 2006 07:23 PMIf they'd had the Happy Mondays back then, there'd have been no need for the punishment of crucifixion.
Posted by: Jim Treacher at January 27, 2006 09:38 PMRadio stations of the cross.
Posted by: Paul MacDonald at January 27, 2006 10:11 PM