A CAST of more than 50 will take to the stage for a rock opera which loosely charts the final days of Jesus’ life.

Jesus Christ Superstar, one of the most iconic and successful collaborations by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, is being staged by Adlington Music and Arts Society from Monday, April 28 to Saturday, May 3.

Director and society chairman, Diane Simmons — along with Jackie Doherty and the cast of 51 including Christian Brabin as Jesus and Charlotte Unsworth as Mary Magdalene — has tackled the project with energy and enthusiasm.

Diane said: “Rehearsals have been hilarious, emotional, exhausting and amongst the best I've ever been involved in.

“There are over 50 in the cast — more than we've seen for a long time on this stage.

“So many extremely talented people who have come from far and wide to be involved in this production and who hopefully will consider returning in the future."

Jesus Christ Superstar loosely follows the last week in the life of Christ as recorded in the Gospels.

From Palm Sunday to Good Friday, observed in the Christian liturgy as Holy Week, the show comprises everything from raw emotion to despair and rejection, together with the hauntingly beautiful I Don't Know How To Love Him, from Mary Magdalene, the outrageously sacrilegious King Herod's Song and the moving climactic choral piece Jesus Christ Superstar.

Jackie added: "Tissues at the ready!"

The show opened on Broadway in October 1971 and at the Palace Theatre in London in 1972.

Since then it has been produced in Ireland, Brazil, Hungary, India, New Zealand, Italy, France, Mexico, Chile, Bulgaria and many other countries before it opens in Adlington later this month.

Jesus Christ Superstar will be at Adlington Community Centre, Railway Road, from April 28 to May 3. Tickets cost £10 or £8 concessions, call 07799 486 876 .