THE world premiere of the movie version of Michael Sheen's The Passion will take place in Port Talbot this Easter.

Called The Gospel Of Us and directed by cult artist Dave McKean, its unveiling will be one of a series of events being held to mark the first anniversary of the award- winning production.

Michael himself will return home to join cast members and others who will reminisce about the extraordinary three- day performance that put the town on the international theatrical map.

National Theatre Wales, which was behind The Passion, has described it as a memory event but details are being kept under wraps until a later date.

A spokeswoman said: "Everyone and anyone who saw the production or were involved in it will be invited to share their memories, their photographs, video and film and their stories for a multimedia exhibition which will be held in the town's shopping centre.

"The Passion's star and co-director Michael Sheen and other cast members will be sharing their own memories at the event.

"The world premiere of Dave McKean's film of the production, The Gospel Of Us, will take place in the town."

The Passion was a modern retelling of Port Talbot's traditional passion play that took place for many years and left a lasting impression on Michael Sheen. Scripted by Welsh author Owen Sheers, it started at dawn on the dunes last Good Friday, with the actor's baptism in the sea off Aberavon Beach.

The production took in a variety of locations around the town, including Aberafan Shopping Centre and outside Port Talbot Civic Centre.

There were iconic moments when the Hollywood star carried the cross on Easter Sunday along a packed Station Road, which included Neath mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins and her then-fiance Gethin Jones in the audience.

Events then returned to Aberavon seafront where Michael was "'crucified".

As the story unfolded, it was simultaneously filmed by Dave McKean.

There were also performances from the Manic Street Preachers, along with Port Talbot singer Paul Potts in the Last Supper, which was held at the Seaside Social and Labour Club in Dalton Road, Sandfields.

The Passion led to co-directors Michael Sheen and Bill Mitchell being jointly named best director at the National Theatre Awards.

It was also critically acclaimed, with the Observer hailing it as "one of the outstanding theatrical events not only of this year, but of the decade".

paul.lewis@swwmedia.co.uk