Mrs Kelly said: "I think it's disgusting. I believe the play makes light of Our Blessed Lady and I will be there demonstrating if it is shown." The committed Christian said she was willing to boycott the city's largest theatre, which seats 2,381, to get her point across. A spokeswoman for the Empire Theatre said they were committed to the performance and it was up to the public to decide whether they wished to see the play. She said: "The Liverpool Empire Theatre is committed to present a rich and diverse programme of arts and entertainment. "The result is an eclectic mix of productions appealing to a wide range of audiences within the community. "It is not the theatre's role to act as censors, but for the ticket-buying public to make their own informed decision." The Diocese of Liverpool was unwilling to comment. A spokesman said: "I do not want to give it the oxygen of publicity." Methodist minister and ecumenical development officer for Churches Together Martin Newman said censorship was not the answer. He said: "I think there is a fine line to be drawn between graduation offence or blasphemy and mockery which uses strong language to make its point. "If there are Christians who don't want to be exposed to strong language or such mockery I would advise them not to go to watch the performance. I do not intend to go, but I wouldn't join a protest against it. "The Christian faith is robust enough to deal with this kind of performance." Christian Voice, whose national base organised protests against the BBC's decision to air the opera on BBC2, said it was still considering taking the broadcasters to court under blasphemy laws. In January, they published the names of 15 senior corporation executives and producers, some of whose homes were deluged with hundreds of calls. Stephen Green, the organisation's national director, said the group had recently managed to stop Sainsbury's from stocking videos of the opera. The Arts Council also bowed to their pressure to stop the funding for the opera's regional tour. The Empire said sales of tickets for the opera had got off to a strong start. homakhaleeli@dailypost.co.uk | 
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