MORE than 2,000 tickets have been sold for the Ledbury Mystery Play, which composer John Frith says may be the biggest ever show staged in the parish church.

He said with the stage installed at St Michael and All Angels', the church resembles a film set ahead of the It's a

Mystery premiere on Wednesday, March 16.

The £500 profit from 2001's Passion Play was ploughed back into this more ambitious production, which has a cast of over 100 local people.

Mr Frith said: "I expect any profits this time will be ploughed into local charities."

Talks with Herefordshire councillor Don Rule have highlighted Home-Start, a charity that helps local families, as a possible good cause.

The play, written by local author Eric Pringle, will run until Sunday, March 20.

Mr Frith said: "It's a major event and should be a thrilling experience. We probably have the biggest orchestra seen inside the church."

As well as 30 adult players, eight young local musicians will be playing second parts.

The big sounds generated are causing some eleventh hour worries, because the sound system will not arrive and be used until the dress rehearsal, the night before the opening show.

But Mr Frith said he had confidence in the sound team, headed by Steve Glennie Smith.

Tickets are available from Ledbury Books and Maps. Tickets will be also available on the door, although they may offer restricted views.