YORK Christian theatre company Riding Lights has assembled its biggest cast to record the Bible in a radical new style for Bible Society’s You’ve Got The Time project.

Under this scheme, the New Testament has been dramatised in 40 half-hour audio clips for “those who say they haven’t got the time in their busy lifestyles to read the Bible stories”.

Andy Bissex, Bible Society’s head of community giving, says: “You’ve Got The Time is about bringing the Bible back into everyday life, about renewing our relationship with God in the midst of life. It’s something everyone can do.”

Thirty-one television and stage actors from Riding Lights took part in the recording, including Russell Boulter, best known as DI Boulton in The Bill, and National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company performer Israel Oyelumade.

“It was thrilling to do,” says Russell, who played Luke. “I think what we’ve produced is something that makes you really hear the Bible. When you hear it, something powerful happens.”

Israel, who plays Jesus in John’s Gospel, says that while recording the Last Supper “there was just silence” as Judas betrays Jesus: “We sat there as the truth of that hit us. It was actually quite soul-searching.”

Paul Burbridge, Riding Lights artistic director, sees working with Bible Society as an affirmation of Riding Lights’ vision of “getting theatre everywhere”.

“This recording is fresh and surprising in many ways, giving every verse a human ‘voice’. It’s exciting, fast-paced and makes you want to listen to a bit more,” he says.

The MP3 files and resource pack can be downloaded free from biblesociety.org.uk/ygtt, but Bible Society is asking for donations.