James star becomes Judas in Passion play

The Manchester Passion will combine stories from the Gospels with the best of the city's music from the past 30 years, in a live television event tonight. The soundtrack to the Good Friday spectacular includes reworkings of songs by Joy Division, the Smiths, Oasis, M-People and New Order.

The cast of musicians and actors - including Darren Morfitt as Jesus and James front man Tim Booth as Judas - will walk the streets of central Manchester to Albert Square in a public procession, to be screened on BBC3 at 9pm.

The Manchester Passion is created by the same team who staged Flashmob - The Opera at London's Paddington station.