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Ticket applications for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three's gothic musical drama, Frankenstein's Wedding... Live In Leeds opened this morning (Friday 18 February) at 9am.

The one-of-a-kind live TV spectacular, which takes over Leeds' Kirkstall Abbey, is offering 9,000 free public tickets to attend the event on Saturday 19 March. Tickets details and application can be found at *.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Lacey Turner (EastEnders and Being Human) will play Elizabeth Lavenza, Andrew Gower (ITV's Monroe and Spotlight Prize Winner 2010) will take up the role of Victor Frankenstein and that David Harewood (Blood Diamond and Doctor Who) would assume the character of the Creature.

For one night only, Leeds' Kirkstall Abbey will play host to an unusual TV event – the marriage of scientist Victor Frankenstein and his bride-to-be, Elizabeth Lavenza.

This bold and ambitious project explores Mary Shelley's gothic masterpiece through live drama and contemporary music.

Following on from the success of Manchester Passion (2006) and Liverpool Nativity (2008), which were both broadcast on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three, Frankenstein's Wedding... Live In Leeds will bring the passion, emotion and horror from the classic tale to a live audience, as well as to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three viewers at home.

The live event will also feature spectacular light projections highlighting the grandeur of Kirkstall Abbey in a way that it has never been seen before.

In a unique take on audience participation, the live audience is invited to attend the event in their best wedding outfits and play a real role as wedding guests.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Learning and Leeds-based Phoenix Dance Theatre are helping people find their dancing feet through a series of workshops, which will culminate in a mass celebratory wedding dance. For details and to book a workshop place, please visit .

Peter Salmon, Director, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ North, says: "Frankenstein's Wedding... Live In Leeds will be a truly unique event, for the viewers at home and especially for the live audience in the grand surroundings of Kirkstall Abbey. This ambitious project will be a modern day portrayal of Shelley's iconic story. With amazing architectural projection mapping, great music and drama, as well as the mass audience wedding dance, it promises to be an exciting night."

A wealth of exclusive online content to support the event can now be found at bbc.co.uk/bbcthree. Supported by ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Learning, this site will host two-minute video diaries of the story's main characters and a video of the wedding dance routine. There is also information about the event's dress code and a behind-the-scenes film, hosted by Creative Director Colin Teague.

Frankenstein's Wedding... Live In Leeds is a collaboration between ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ North, and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Cymru Wales. The event is being supported by key organisations within Yorkshire, including Welcome to Yorkshire, Arts Council England, Marketing Leeds, Leeds City Council, and Phoenix Dance Theatre.

Frankenstein's Wedding... Live In Leeds is part of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's Year Of Books. The pan-³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Year Of Books is a year-long celebration of literature which invites audiences to free their imagination through the exploration, enjoyment and discussion of books. The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is the biggest producer of books related programming and throughout 2011 will highlight its continued commitment to literature and all quality arts programming. From regular literary stands to documentaries, series, dramas and readings, the year will offer a range of new and archive programmes.

Notes to Editors

*There are 9000 free tickets available to members of the public for the event. Only one application per person is permitted for up to four tickets, and multiple applications using the same email address are not permitted.

Any audience member attending the event must be aged 16 or over.

Checks to identify those trying to enter more than once will be undertaken both during registration and once the process is complete – with entries removed from the ballot if they do not adhere to the rules and regulations.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ will email entrants to advise if they have been successful in getting a ticket with full details about ticket collection.

Tickets will be available in Leeds prior to the event and from Kirkstall Abbey on the day.

SG