The resurrection of Christ was played out to hundreds of onlookers as it made its return to Brighton beach. The Soul by the Sea production has a new five-year agreement to perform on the beach, opposite the Old Ship Hotel in King’s Road, Brighton.

An Italian took on the role of Jesus and was resurrected over the course of three re-enactments on Sunday afternoon.

Producer Andy Browsfield said: “The weather was kind to us, it just held off, and that was great.

“This is a brand new play. So, whereas last year we did the crucifixion, this year is about the resurrection.

“It’s part of a five year plan for something big, but this was all about a bit of a low key event to get used to being back on the beach.

“It’s great to be back too, you’ve got the churches coming together with passers-by and engaging with the story perhaps for the first time.”

Audiences lined the barriers of King’s Road as well as making use of the designated deckchairs in front of the stage.

Ann-Marie Newman, from Brighton, said: “It’s such a good location here with all the amusements and other things around, and that’s what it would have been like when Jesus was resurrected.

“It takes a lot of guts to get up there and perform, it was excellent.”

Writer James Burke-Dunsmore, who played Jesus in last year’s production, was happy to take a back seat as Italian Francesco Asturaro took centre stage.

He said: “It’s hard to let go, but I set this up five years ago, and it’s great to step back and let people cut their teeth and slowly build their careers from this.

“They will make their mistakes, but that’s all part of it.

“I’ve done 86 productions and I’ve been crucified more than 200 times, but doing that time has given me the experience and I’ve loved helping teach these new guys what it is to be Jesus.

“It’s a tough role, and it certainly comes under the heading of impossible, but worth trying.”

David Smith, from Brighton, who watched with Catia Smith, Roberta Frosolina and Helen Shires, said: “It’s great that Brighton has a passion for this type of thing, it was a fantastic re-enactment.”