Playing the role of Jesus would be a challenge for any actor.
But Hollywood star Michael Sheen has taken the role one step further with an extraordinary 72-hour performance, during which he stayed in character for the entire time.
And even at the end of the marathon performance, there was no rest for Mr Sheen - the climax of the play saw the ambitious actor 'nailed' to a cross and 'crucified' in front of a huge audience last night.
Hard act to follow: Actor Michael Sheen is crucified in the climax to the marathon production
Along with a mammoth cast of more than 1,000 people, Mr Sheen took the lead in a modern-day take on the story of Jesus, in The Passion, which was performed in his hometown of Port Talbot, South Wales.
The play, which started on Good Friday saw bearded Sheen emerged from the sea at nearby Aberavon beach, before he slept rough on a mountainside overlooking the town's giant steel works and power station.
The tale continued on Saturday with a re-enactment of the Last Supper, with beer and sandwiches at a social club in the town, and music provided by The Manic Street Preachers and Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts.
Spectacular: Sheen's The Teacher is silhouetted as he hangs on the cross in the dramatic climax of The Passion
Crowds: Thousands flocked to see the Hollywood star return to his home town for the ground-breaking production
Getting real: The actor stays in character as he walks through the streets of Port Talbot during the production
Last night, as the play finally drew to a close, the townsfolk gathered for the climax - the Crucifixion on the town's seafront in front of an estimated crowd of 6,000.
Wearing a crown of thorns and with blood pouring down his face, Mr Sheen's character was paraded through the streets carrying a cross, before stopping at the seafront surrounded by stern police wearing riot gear for the finale.
Locals said it was the biggest thing to have happened to the town for years.
Passionate performance: The physically demanding role saw Sheen wear a crown of thorns as a modern-day Christ
Mr Sheen, who is co-directing the Passion Play, said: 'We wanted to use the whole of Port Talbot as our performance base and get as many people involved as we can.
'It's a real privilege and honour to be able to come to my home town, a town that has so much meaning to me and that I have had so much support from.
'I am so involved that it is one of those things that I will only really enjoy when it is all over.'
Realism: Michael Sheen is attached to the cross as he is 'crucified' in day three of the Passion play in Port Talbot
Touching moment: Port Talbot locals tend to Michael Sheen prior to his crucifixion on the seafront
Mr Sheen's father Meyrick - a professional Jack Nicholson lookalike - added: 'Port Talbot has never seen anything like this.
'This has been an enormous project and Michael has been working 24/7 here for the last 13 weeks in the run-up to the opening.'
Mr Sheen, 42, is no stranger to playing well-known characters - he has played Tony Blair, David Frost, Brian Clough and Kenneth Williams over the years.
On trial: Wearing a barbed wire version of the crown of thorns, the actor stands trial while guarded by police in riot gear
The cast of The Passion included a small professional theatre group and 1,000 locals, who all staying 'in character' throughout the three-day performance.
Yesterday's three acts were 'The Trial' in the town's civic square, 'The Procession' and finally 'The Cross' when Mr Sheen's character was crucified on the seafront.
An estimated 6,000 people watched the performance which also involved local choirs, amateur dramatic groups, and gymnastic teams.
Centre stage: With a bag over his head, Sheen is escorted to his trial
Unmasked: Sheen's character prepares to face his accusers
Locals hope Sheen's return will help to end the town's reputation for being crime-riddled, ugly and polluted.
Port Talbot has a rich heritage of producing Hollywood movie stars - Richard Burton and Sir Anthony Hopkins were born and brought up nearby.
And some hope it will ignite a spiritual awareness they feel is lacking in the town's young people, many of them unemployed.
Dramatic treat: With the production being played out in the streets of Port Talbot, locals and visitors were able to catch some free theatre
Mass following: Hundreds of residents volunteered to join the cast list, which consisted of 1,000 extras
Hetty Purchase, 80, with 18 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren, said: 'I hope and pray that these three days will persuade youngsters to take a good look at themselves and change their ways.'
Another local Janet Griffiths, 48, said: 'There is an urgent need for a spiritual awakening in this town and I for one feel that The Passion can kickstart it.
'I'm impressed with the way it has brought the community together.'
Heavenly descent: Sheen takes the escalator in Aberafan Shopping Centre during Saturday's first act
Modern take: A skip stands in for the Gardens of Gethsemane
Retired council worker Jean Henry, 67, added: 'Michael Sheen is such a great ambassador for the town.
'Everyone I have spoken to thinks it's a wonderful thing that Michael Sheen is doing.
'Hopefully the message of The Passion with its modern slant will strike a chord with people.
'It's the biggest thing to hit Port Talbot for many years.'
Prepared for the part: The Hollywood star grew his hair and beard to play the Christ-like figure
Playing their part: The production was supported by hundreds of locals
Call centre worker Emma Landeg, 30, who lives on Port Talbot's notorious Sandfields Estate, believes the Easter spectacular, will put the town on the map.
She said: 'It might change people's views of the town for the better and make them look beyond the pollution and the grime and see there is real heart in this place.
'It's a working class town which has seen many downs in the past few years but hopefully this will help it to regain its pride.'
All the world's a stage: Sheen chats to children while still in character as he walks along the seafront
