THE most controversial theatre production of recent years defied protesters to go ahead in Liverpool last night.
Audience members walked past hundreds of demonstrators to see Jerry Springer - the Opera on the opening night of a week-long run at the Liverpool Empire.
At one point Rolf Saxon, the man who plays Springer in the show, came out to face the protesters and put his own view across.
He said: "I think it's people's right to protest, but it's absurd if they haven't seen the show."
Since it was screened by the BBC last year, the production has attracted widespread condemnation from Christian groups for what they claim is its blasphemous content.
It drew a record 63,000 complaints when it was aired on TV in January and is considered deeply offensive as it features Jesus as a homosexual, describes Mary as being "raped by an angel, raped by God", and features hundreds of swear words.
Last night, around 1,000 people gathered on both sides of Lime Street to sing hymns as theatregoers walked in.
Placards carried slogans like "Theatre backs hate", "They wouldn't treat Mohammed this way", and "Springer Opera mocks our faith."
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