David Soul in the title role of Jerry Springer: The Opera Controversial show Jerry Springer: The Opera is coming to Oxford.

The New Theatre in George Street is joining forces with 20 other major theatres around the country to present the multi-award winning smash hit musical.

The show will open in Plymouth on January 23, 2006, and will run in Oxford from April 3 to April 8.

A performance shown by the BBC in January was condemned by the Christian Voice group for its portrayal of Jesus and God as talk show guests in Hell.

Campaigners complained to communications watchdog Ofcom that the show put the 'f-word' in the mouths of those whom Christians revere as sacred.

This announcement of a tour, featuring David Soul as Jerry Springer, comes despite the Arts Council England's refusal to continue to fund the venture.

The tour suffered the loss of 30 per cent of its venues following pressure from Christian Voice.

Dr Evan Harris, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, will welcome the show's arrival.

He is an opponent of the racial and religious hatred bill now being considered by the House of Lords and fears the bill will curb free speech if it becomes law.

He said: "There are people in Oxford who might be offended by the show's content but they should not go to see it.

"There may also be people who want to protest against it but they should not prevent it from being performed."

Stewart Lee, co-writer and director of the production, said: "Jerry Springer: The Opera was developed on public money in public spaces and belongs to the nation, whether the nation wants it or not.

"Christian Voice do not represent a lot of Christians. On the whole, religious people find this thought-provoking and not incompatible with what they believe."

He joked: "If there is a protest in Oxford then perhaps they will burn us where the bishops Latimer, Cranmer and Ridley were killed."

But Father David Hartley, of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Sawpit Road, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, said: "I haven't seen it but I have heard it seems to deliberately insult the man who we think is the most important person in the world. We can't but find it offensive as Christians."

Bede Gerrard, county ecumenical officer for Churches Together in Oxfordshire, said: "If it comes to Oxford I would not want people to flock to it just because it is controversial or give it publicity that it doesn't really deserve."