Controversial musical Jerry Springer the Opera looks set to appear in Bradford next year, prompting criticism nationally from church campaigners.

Directors of the award-winning musical are currently in negotiation with bosses at the Alhambra theatre to bring the production to Bradford for a week-long run in May 2006. The exact dates are expected to be released later this week.

With its parodies of Christianity and 8,000 swear words, the show has attracted much controversy since its first appearance in 2002.

Part of the musical features Jesus wearing a nappy while proclaiming: "I'm a little bit gay" and another shows Mary haranguing her son for abandoning her after dying on the cross.

The production attracted 50,000 complaints when it was broadcast on BBC2 earlier this year and protests were led outside the BBC studios by the Christian extremist group, Christian Voice.

The show was initially booked to appear in Bradford this autumn as part of a national tour.

However earlier this month the tour had to be postponed when a third of the venues nationally who had originally considered taking the show backed out after receiving threats from Christian Voice to prosecute them under blasphemy laws.

Adam Renton, manager of the Alhambra, confirmed that the theatre had been threatened by Christian Voice but said that this had nothing to do with the show's postponement, saying that the delay was due to the need to fit around other theatres' schedules.

Mr Renton said: "To bring the production to Bradford straight from the West End will be looked at by most as something of a coup. The show needs to be viewed in the context of the many other shows in our 12-month programme and our desire to offer a range of performances."

The news has received a mixed reaction from Bradford's Christian communities. The Bishop of Bradford, the Right Reverend David James, said: "The show gives an insulting picture of Jesus Christ that I would not want to go and see. To get the true picture of Jesus people should go to their nearest church. However I think the Alhambra has some fantastic shows. I think the best sort of protest for anyone offended by this production would just be to stay away."

The Reverend Geoff Reid, of the ecumenical Touchstone Centre in Bradford, said his only concern would be staying awake during the performance. The Rev Reid said: "I have no objection to them coming, so long as I'm not obliged to go. If I remember correctly I actually fell asleep during the televised production."

Bradford's Christian groups gave a similarly relaxed response this week to the announcement that Nine Songs, a British movie featuring graphic scenes of real sex, is to be shown at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television next month.