Tag: York Festival Trust

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Roll up, roll up, here come York Mystery Plays on waggons on June 28 and July 5

York Mystery Plays: Reconnecting modern York with medieval drama

THE four-yearly staging of the York Mystery Plays on pageant waggons takes place at four locations across the city on Sunday and July 5 from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

Produced by York Festival Trust, the 2026 production once again will bring medieval drama into the streets and historic spaces of the city, reconnecting modern York with a cycle of plays first performed by its medieval guilds.

Free viewing can be enjoyed at the Minster Refectory Gardens, Deansgate, from 10.30am, King’s Square, from 11.10am, and St Sampson’s Square, from 11.50am. Ticketed seats are available for Dean’s Park from 12.30pm.

Each Sunday, ten core plays will be complemented by further extracts to tell the story from The War In Heaven to Doomsday. For full details, go to: yorkmysteryplays.co.uk.

Special midsummer performances of five of this summer’s plays will be presented in Sunset In The Shambles Market on June 30 and July 1, introduced by the York Waits musicians before Pageant Master Dr Alan Heaven guides the audience through each play, from the Creation sequence to the End of Days in the interactive show Doomsday. These shows begin at 7.45pm and end as the dusk is deepening before 10pm. For tickets, go to: ticketsource.com/york-festival-trust.

Alan brings considerable experience to his role. “I staged my first Mystery Plays in 1989 and my first in this [pageant waggon] festival in 2006 with the Potters’ Pageant,” he says.

“After that, I adapted all 48 into a two-hour production, then was asked by the Merchant Adventurers in 2010 to bring forth their play Doomsday. This summer will be the fifth time I’ve ‘ended the world’ for them, each time building the play afresh. It takes nine months to develop each one.” 

Alan’s vision as Pageant Master has been two-fold. “First, to help groups deliver exciting street theatre through the choice of plays and through having support materials available,” he says.

“Second, to lift the event, making it bigger and more inclusive; returning to the keyword ‘festival’ by extending the period of engagement from two days to two weeks and in some cases two months,  and by expanding the social media presence.

“In addition, there is a legacy programme of audio recordings and podcasts, plus much closer links with the York Mystery Plays Supporters’ Trust and their ongoing events. Overall I want to increase the range of opportunities for local people and visitors to engage with the plays.”

The cornerstone of presenting the York Mystery Plays in 2026 on the streets is the people, says Alan. “This is a massive community event, which exists because of the passion and commitment of the groups, directors, designers, musicians and the wonderful volunteers,” he reasons. “From the very start of the process nearly two years ago, I have been deeply touched by the warmth and support received for the new-look event.” 

Dr Alan Heaven: Pageant Master for 2026 York Mystery Plays

Explaining how this summer’s plays were chosen from the 48 that make up the York Cycle of Mystery Plays, Alan says: “The plays selected fall into three groups. First, the ones that are connected to specially designed waggons. These are The Creation – which has the fantastic pop-up Victorian-style waggon by the Guild of Building – and the Butchers’ iconic Crucifixion waggon.

“Second are the plays that are integral to the Christian story arc. These are the Fall of Adam and Eve, Resurrection and the end play, Doomsday, and the multi-faith spectacle of The Deluge.

“That makes six plays. Last time there were eight. The final group contains The Creation of Adam and Eve, The Journey to Calvary, The Shepherds, The Massacre of the Innocents and the remaining section of The Coronation of Mary, which makes 11 plays, all selected because of the opportunity for visual emphasis that they bring.”

Among the new participants will be Pip Cook, directing The Shepherds, Lions and Dragons Theatre Co, staging The Resurrection, and DSpace Ukrainian Theatre, founded in York by director and actress Dara Klymenko, who will perform The Massacre of the Innocents. 

Asked how he chose a theme for the sunset midweek performances, Alan says: “The only theme there need ever be is the York Mystery Plays. There’s also the practical reality of which groups are willing to do it.”

The Mystery Plays will be complemented by the York Mystery Plays Fringe. “Everything in the Fringe is a highlight,” says Alan. “Everyone connected has worked very hard and very creatively to enable more people to find their best way of connecting with the plays.

“Key events running now are The Deluge art exhibition of finalists from the national competition, curated by Megan kathryn Heywood, with many works for sale, at Bedern Hall, in Bartle Garth, St Andrewgate, until July 3, and Women of the Mystery Plays, an exhibition at the Bar Convent Living Heritage  Centre, highlighting the contributions of women past and present, curated by Diane Heaven. 

“The York Mystery Plays Sound and Memory exhibition, using images from the Mystery Plays archive, is on show at Holy Trinity, Micklegate, until August 29, curated by Molly Jervis, while the York Mystery Plays shop is running in High Petergate.”

Finally, Alan, why should someone see the Mystery Plays if they have never done so before? “You should attend because this is a world-famous celebration of local heritage in one of the world’s leading tourist destinations: the most beautiful city in England.

“It is unique and only appears every four years; its connections with the city give it roots and authenticity. It might be a medieval Christian story but it is played by and watched by people of all faiths and none.” 

The York Mystery Plays, streets of York, June 28 and July 5, 10.30am to 4.50pm; Sunset In The Shambles Market, June 30 and July 1, 7.45pm.  

The Plays on June 28 and July 5

The Fall of Adam and Eve: The Lords of Misrule’s play

The War In Heaven: Brought forth by Laura-Elizabeth Rice and HIDden Theatre with the cast of volunteers, all working with and on behalf of Gild of Freemen. To find out more about the play, the guild and the stagecraft, visit: https://www.yorkmysteryplays.co.uk/introducing-war-heaven/.

The Creation: Brought forth by York Guild of Building, directed by Janice Barnes-Newton.

The Fall of Adam and Eve: Brought forth by The Lords of Misrule for the Company of Merchant Taylors, directed by Thomasina Cass.

Noah and the Flood: Brought forth by St. Luke’s Church, directed by Mike Tyler and Lynn Comer.

Doomsday: Performed by Ravens Morris and Haigha

The Shepherds: Directed by Pip Cook with cast of Waifs and Strays for the Company of Cordwainers.

The Massacre of the Innocents: Brought forth by DSpace Ukrainian Theatre Company for the Guild of Scriveners.

The Crucifixion: Brought forth by York Settlement Community Players on behalf of the Company of Butchers, directed by Maurice Crichton.

The Journey to Calvary: Brought forth by York Mystery Plays Supporters’ Trust, directed by Paul Toy.

The Resurrection: The Quem Quaeritis: Brought forth by Lions & Dragons Theatre Co.

The Coronation of Mary: A fragment

Doomsday: Brought forth by Ravens Morris and Haigha for the Company of Merchant Adventurers, directed by Pageant Master Dr Alan Heaven. 

In focus: York Settlement Community Players in The Crucifixion, for the Company of Butchers, on return after 12 years

Thom Feeney in rehearsal for his role as Jesus of Nazareth with three of the Workmen in York Settlement Community Players’ play The Crucifixion. Picture: John Saunders

“YORK has the only cycle of Mystery Plays to make a separate episode of the stretching, nailing and raising of Jesus,” says Settlement director Maurice Crichton. “The four crucifiers are an all-banging, shouting and bantering gang of workmen. But you, the audience, hold the knowledge that this is no ordinary job. What impact will Jesus have?”

Settlement Players’ pageant waggon was designed and built by Tony Wright in 2006 to make sense of the physical action implied in the script. “Waggon master Richard Hampton has worked wonders to bring this now 20-year-old warhorse of a vehicle back into repair (based at Murton Park),” says Maurice, as Settlement Players return to the festival for the first time since 2014.

“The action of the play is a real physical challenge, requiring considerable nerve all round. None of the cast was familiar with the play or the waggon and only one has been part of this event before. I give my thanks to them for their courage and effort.”

York Settlement Community Players is one of the oldest amateur drama groups in the city. “The seed event for our group was an evening of Nativity Mystery Plays at The York Settlement in 1917,” says Maurice. “We’ve missed out on this event in 2018 and 2022, so we’re excited to be back.”

Looking ahead to Settlement Players’ upcoming activities, Maurice says: “In September, we’ll have our New Writing for New Directors initiative coming up at the Black Swan Inn, in Peasholme Green, and from October 13 to 17 we’ll be staging Underdog: The Other Other Brontë, by Sarah Gordon, starring Lara Stafford as Charlotte Bronte, at Theatre@41, Monkgate.

“Each month our improv group, Unsettled, meets at Southlands Methodist Church, Bishopthorpe Road, and we host a play-reading at the Royal Oak, Goodramgate. If interested, contact: yorksettlementcommunityplayers@gmail.com.”

Settlement Players’ cast for The Crucifixion: Workman 1, the Foreman, James Wood; Workman 2,  Andrew Wrenn; Workman 3, Liam Godfrey; Workman 4, Michael Maybridge; Jesus of Nazareth, Thom Feeney.

Cross to bear: Thom Feeney’s Jesus of Nazareth. Picture; John Saunders

York Mystery Plays 2026 Festival

Voices of the Plays: A Celebration of York Mystery Plays in Poetry and Prose. Merchant Taylors’ Hall, June 25, 6.30pm for 7pm start

WRITERS of all ages have responded to the themes, stories and characters of the York Mystery Plays, submitting nearly 50 original poems and prose pieces for inclusion in a new anthology. This event brings together those voices for an evening of readings, reflection and celebration in the Merchant Taylors’ Hall.

Young writers will open the evening, sharing their work with the audience after an optional pre-event performance workshop. Shortlisted adult writers will then present their selected pieces, showcasing a rich variety of responses to one of York’s most treasured cultural traditions.

The evening will celebrate the forthcoming publication of the anthology, featuring all shortlisted and winning entries, to be released later this summer. Whether you are a lover of literature, a supporter of the York Mystery Plays, or curious to hear new writing inspired by ancient stories, this promises to be an uplifting event.  Bookings: https://www.ticketsource.com/booking/select/gmxmmrejjann.

Paul Toy: Giving a talk on Music of The Mysteries on Friday

Expert Talks

JOIN leading historians, artists and practitioners as they explore the York Mystery Plays from new angles. These engaging talks offer insight, context and lively discussion. Delivered for York Festival Trust by Paul Toy, Dr Alan Heaven & Roger Lee and Maurice Crichton.

 Friday, June 26, 2.30pm, Holy Trinity, Goodramgate, Music of The Mysteries: How music has always been central to the plays, from original performance traditions to modern interpretation. Talk by Paul Toy, Pageant Master 2010, musician, dramatist and theatre director.

Monday, June 29, 2pm, Holy Trinity Micklegate, Bring the Plays to Life: How do you bring one of York’s oldest and most cherished traditions to life for a modern audience? Join Pageant Master 2026 Dr Alan Heaven and York Festival Trust chair and producer Roger Lee for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at York Mystery Plays 2026.

Friday, July 3, 2pm, Holy Trinity Micklegate, Being Noah. Actor and director Maurice Crichton givers an illustrated talk on the Noah Plays and their presentation. Bookings: https://www.ticketsource.com/york-festival-trust.

Podcasts:  Voices of the York Mystery Plays, streaming online

LISTEN in as stories unfold beyond the stage. A series of podcasts brings together voices from the production, the city and beyond, offering reflection, insight and behind-the-scenes perspectives. You can listen online on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/show/2Aiin7sBQ6JPjErSoC9ezD and Soundcloud at https://soundcloud.com/yorkmysteryplays.

Audio Plays

EXPERIENCE the drama through sound alone. These specially created audio plays retell the plays in full, inviting you to engage your imagination wherever you are. York Festival Trust has begun the task of recording all 48 original plays over the next three years.  If you would like to take part, get in touch.  You can listen via Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/show/2Aiin7sBQ6JPjErSoC9ezD and Souncloud at https://soundcloud.com/yorkmysteryplays.

Film

UNIVERSITY of York students have created a short film responding to the Noah plays. Watch for our launch on YouTube and in person. Look out for the launch on YouTube.

Sound and Memory in the York Mystery Plays: Free archive exhibition, Holy Trinity Church, Micklegate, until August 29

USING archive materials from the National Centre for Early Music, curator Molly Jervis invites you to respond to an immersive exhibition exploring how sound and music evoke memory within the York Mystery Plays, past and present.  Come along to share your memories.  Holy Trinity is also  the starting point for the Original Stations Trail and only a short walk from the Women in the Mysteries exhibition at Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre.

Cathy Sara and Thomas Frere in Riding Lights Theatre Company’s Mistero Buffo at Friargate Theatre, York. Picture: John Shepherdson

Fringe play of the week: Riding Lights Theatre Company in Mistero Buffo, Friargate Theatre, Lower Friargate, York, June 27 and 28, July 1 to 4 at 7.30pm plus 2.30pm matinees on July 3 and 4

TWO wild strangers roll into York for the 2026 York Mystery Plays Fringe to tell tales destined to turn the city upside down. Combining ferocious wit and fearless physical storytelling, Paul Birch’s two-hander production for York’s Riding Lights Theatre Company tears into faith, power, profit and hypocrisy by turning ancient Bible stories into urgent, humorous modern theatre with a clear spiritual heart.

Written by Nobel prize-winning playwright Dario Fo, translated by Ed Emery and performed by Yorkshire actors Thomas Frere and Cathy Sara, this 1969 take on the Mystery Plays will appeal to Fringe theatregoers with a taste for sharp, subversive and unapologetic comedy with bite. A post-show discussion with the creative team will follow the July 2 performance. Box office: www.ridinglights.org.

Guided Walks of the Original Performance Locations, departing at 10am and 2pm on various dates

JOIN York historian David Farrar and York Guides for a 90-minute tour of York with fascinating stories and histories. See https://www.yorkmysteryplays.co.uk/tickets-merch/  for dates and to book.

The Watchers of York Sculpture Trail, June 29 to August 31

INSPIRED by an idea by York Festival Trust, Make It York has created this trail in collaboration with York Minster. Stone carvings have been silently watching over York Minster for centuries. These guardians are full of character, humour and mystery. Now, one of them is stepping off the stonework and making mischief across York.  This new city-wide sculpture trail launches alongside the York Mystery Plays. Don’t miss the Doomsday version in the Mystery Plays.

The Original Stations Trail, until July 7

STEP back into the medieval city and trace the route of the original pageant waggons. This trail reveals where the plays once unfolded, bringing history vividly into the streets of today. Created by David Farrar for York Festival Trust, this trail includes a souvenir map created by York artist Jo Rodwell. 

Dates and times: June 25, 7pm; June 26, 10.30am & 7pm; June 27, 10.30am; June 29, 10.30am; July 2, 10.30am & 7pm; July 3, 10.30am & 7pm; July 4, 10.30am; July  6, 10.30am, and July 7, 2pm. Bookings: https://www.ticketsource.com/york-festival-trust.

York artist Jo Rodwell: Designed souvenir map for the Original Stations Trail

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Voices of the Plays: A Celebration of York Mystery Plays in Poetry and Prose evening to be held at Merchant Taylors’ Hall

Rose Drew and Alan Gillott, of Stairwell Books, publishers of “the best in Yorkshire writing. Based in York, tales from all over”. Picture: Emily Drew

SCORES  of writers, some as young as eight, will share their stories and poems aloud at Merchant Taylors’ Hall, York, on June 25, as part of this year’s York Mystery Plays Festival and Fringe.

After asking for submissions from writers earlier this year, festival poet laureate Rose Drew will head up Voices of the Plays: A Celebration of York Mystery Plays in Poetry and Prose, an evening of themed story and poetry sharing.

“We wanted to inspire our York writers so we set up a poetry and short fiction competition, themed around the Mystery Plays, with a focus on The Flood and War,” explains Rose, who will be supported by deputy laureate Alan Gillott and York Festival Trust  chair Roger Lee.

York Mystery Plays: Back on the waggons this summer

“Stories and poems are written to be heard and we loved the idea of our city’s writers sharing their work aloud, in front of a York audience, before we made our final decision on whose work will be published.”

The resulting York anthology will be published by Stairwell Books around the end of August, when the York Festival Trust plans to release a streaming version or DVDs of the Mystery Plays performed this summer.

“I have to admit it will really be an excuse to have a great creative night out!’ says Rose, who runs regular poetry open-mics and is the co-founder of independent publisher Stairwell Books.

Festival poet laureate Rose Drew and deputy laureate Alan Gillott standing by the St Mary’s Abbey ruins in York Museum Gardens. Picture: Emily Drew

“Children’s entries were judged separately for primary and secondary students. Everyone who entered will receive a Certificate of Participation,” she adds.

“I’ll be flying in from the United States that day and making straight for the Merchant Taylors’ Hall, but if anything can keep jet lag at bay for me, it’s live fresh writing talent!”

Children’s readings start promptly at 7pm; doors open at 6.30pm. To book to attend the Festival Live Readings, go to: https://www.yorkmysteryplays.co.uk/tickets-merch/.

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Waggons encircle city streets as York Mystery Plays roll in for second Sunday

Wren Crawford as Jesus in a tableaux of the Guild Of Butchers’ The Crucifixion Of Christ in Shambles Market on Wednesday night. Picture: Lewis Outing

TODAY concludes the week of York Mystery Plays 2022 with a second Sunday of street plays on a roll around York’s city-centre from 11am onwards.

Presented by the Guilds of York and the York Festival Trust, eight plays have been selected by director Tom Straszewski from the 48 that comprise the mediaeval York Cycle of Mystery Plays.

In keeping with tradition, the plays will be wheeled around the bustling streets on waggons, processing from station to station at College Green (free) to St Sampson’s Square (free), St Helen’s Square (free) and King’s Manor (ticketed).

Those plays will be: York Guild of Building’s Creation To The Fifth Day, directed by Janice Newton, of Thinkon Theatre; the Gild of Freemen’s The Fall Of Adam And Eve, featuring the Vale of York Academy, directed by Bex Nicholson; the Company of Cordwainers and York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust’s The Building Of The Ark and The Flood, directed by Paul Toy; St Luke’s Church, Burton Stone Lane, in Herod And The Three Kings, directed by Lynn Comer and Mike Tyler.

The work of the devil: Mick Liversidge’s Lucifer as the unholy host at Wednesday’s performance of The Mysteries In The Market. Picture: Lewis Outing

The Company of Merchant Taylors and Lords Of Misrule’s The Last Supper, directed by Emily Hanson; the Guild of Butchers and Riding Lights Acting Up’s The Crucifixion and Death Of Christ, directed by Kelvin Goodspeed and Jared More; the Guild of Media Arts and Guild of Scriveners’ The Appearance Of Jesus To Mary Magdalene, directed by Jessica Murray, and the Company of Merchant Adventurers’ The Last Judgement, brought forth by Ravens Morris and Paint The Mouse Productions, directed by Alan Heaven, no less.

On Wednesday and Thursday, to mark Midsummer, five plays a night were performed under the umbrella of The Mysteries In The Market, as flat-capped Mick Liversidge sprouted horns to play master of ceremonies Lucifer in a series of interludes edited and directed by Straszewski.

On the first night, Fall Of Adam and Eve, The Flood, The Last Supper, The Crucifixion and The Last Judgement were staged; on the second, Creation To The Fifth Day, The Flood,The Last Supper, The Crucifixion and The Last Judgement.

Tickets for today’s performances at King’s Manor are on sale at yorkmysteryplays.co.uk.

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Meet Noah as York Mystery Plays roll out waggons for return to city-centre streets

When it rains, it pours: Maurice Crichton’s Noah looks to the sky in rehearsal for York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust’s production of The Building Of The Ark and The Flood. Picture: John Saunders

EIGHT plays from the York Cycle of Mystery Plays will be wheeled around York city centre on waggons by the Guilds of York and York Festival Trust on Saturday and June 26.

Under the direction of Tom Straszewski, from 11am each weekend, the Plays will process from College Green (free admission) to St Sampson’s Square (free), St Helen’s Square (free) and King’s Manor (ticketed).

In addition, five of the plays will be staged in ticketed Midsummer midweek performances in Shambles Market on Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30pm.

Taking part in all of the performances will be a familiar bearded face on the York stage, Maurice Crichton, playing Noah in Paul Toy’s staging of The Building Of The Ark and The Flood for the Company of Cordwainers and York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust.

Maurice is steeped in Mystery history. “I did the Settlement Players’ waggon play in 2010, as Pontius Pilate; Riding Lights and York Theatre Royal’s Two Planks And A Passion in 2011; Pilate in the 2012 Mystery Plays in the Museum Gardens; Herod in York Minster in 2016, and Soldier 1 in The Crucifixion for the Company of Butchers and St Chad’s Church in 2018,” he says.

“But I’ve never done a Supporters Trust play, so that’s a first, and I’ve never done Noah before. It’s a delightful part, and we’ve tried to go for the humour, although there’s not so much humour in ‘The Ark’, but as soon as Paul [Toy] mashed the two plays together, that helped with the tone.”

Director Paul Toy, centre, bearded, in the thick of a rehearsal for The Building Of The Ark and The Flood

What draws Maurice back to the York Mystery Plays time after time? “First of all, it connects me to the city where I live,” he says. “It’s the one piece of world theatre that the city is really connected to, so I enjoy that aspect, and the more I’ve done the plays, the more I’ve looked into the history.

“It’s similar to Shakespeare, where you have the script but you have no idea how it was done when it was first performed. You’re like a detective, and the more you look into the plays, the more the options open up as you de-code the text, and that’s exciting.

“That’s what differentiates the Mystery Plays from plays of our time, where the writer is still around to help you to prepare. For a role like Noah, you have to think, how do I ‘see’ this line; what actions will go with that? It’s a case of, the more you take these words into your head, the more you think about what cadence is needed, what freedom have I got; what’s the rhythm; what’s the meaning?”

Maurice makes a further comparison with Shakespeare’s texts. “Sometimes you feel the audience isn’t going to follow this because the language is dated,” he says. “I’ve had discussions with Paul where I’ve said, I think the original version works better for its musicality, rather than the new adaptation, but elsewhere I’ve said, can I modernise a line, so it cuts both ways.”

Performing on bustling city-centre streets makes particular demands on actors. “The first thing to say is the plays are not being done where they should be, in the tight streets, rather than the open squares, but that’s for practical reasons,” points out Maurice.

“Now, there’s no reverb off the walls to help you, much as College Green is a beautiful setting, but the plays used to be done in streets like Stonegate, as old pictures show.

“I remember in 2010 I was hoarse by the end of the day after the four performances,” says Maurice Crichton. “I needed someone to say ‘that’s loud enough’!”

“You also have to imagine how the streets of York used to be; they’ve all become wider, apart from Shambles, to deal with traffic.

“The danger is that if you’re worried about your audibility, you’re going to punish your vocal cords because you’re trying to be too loud. I remember in 2010 I was hoarse by the end of the day after the four performances. I needed someone to say ‘that’s loud enough’.”

Maurice continues: “Having not been to drama school, I didn’t know what to do in that situation, but what I’ve learned is you really need to keep your face pointed forwards towards the audience at all times when you have something to say, using your arms for gestures.

“It doesn’t help to look at your partner on stage. But when they’re talking, you do look at them; you’re fully responsive in your expressions, turning to face them to show very positively you’re engaging with them through your eyes.

“It’s a different discipline to acting on a stage indoors, because you wouldn’t perform that way in natural speech. Indoors, these days you’re mainly trying to achieve naturalism, but performing on the streets requires the opposite of the norm. Outdoors, it looks like you’re in a Victorian melodrama.”

Given the “noises off” that confront street theatre, with shoppers, stags and hens and open-air cafe tables to negotiate, Maurice says: “The reality is, you’ll be able to count on one hand the number of actors you can hear clearly 90 per cent of the time.

“In St Helen’s Square, for example, there’s a massive amount of distractions, as people move from one shopping street to another, and the challenge is to be so focused and confident in your lines that you can keep going, stopping to do a funny aside, if necessary, but always keeping your face head on to the crowd, of course!”

If the cap fits: Mick Liversidge will play Satan in the Mysteries In The Market on Wednesday and Thursday

Meanwhile, Easingwold actor Mick Liversidge will play Satan in the midsummer Mysteries In The Market performances in Shambles Market on Wednesday and Thursday evening, following in the crepuscular footsteps of James Swanton’s Lucifer in The Mysteries After Dark in September 2018.

“As a huge fan of outdoor theatre, I was absolutely delighted to be offered this role,” says Mick, who will act as narrator, steering the 100-strong audience and linking each of the five plays to be presented.

“I’ve performed in many local plays both in York and around Yorkshire, so it’s a pleasure to be involved in such a great community event. I’m looking forward to guiding the audience and seeing their reactions as the plays unfold.”

Mick has appeared in everything from York productions of Wind In The Willows, Calendar Girls The Musical and A Christmas Carol to Shakespeare, short films, Coronation Street, Channels 4’s It’s A Sin, The Queen And I on Netflix, the 2019 film version of Downton Abbey and this year’s Bengali-language adventure thriller Swastik Sanket.

Full details of the 2022 York Mystery Plays can be found at yorkmysteryplays.co.uk, including bookings for the ticketed performances at King’s Manor and Shambles Market.

Copyright of The Press, York

The Crucifixion scene in The Mysteries After Dark at Shambles Market in September 2018

What will the eight plays be?

* Creation To The Fifth Day, York Guild of Building, directed by Janice Newton

* The Fall Of Man, Gild of Freemen and Vale of York Academy, directed by Bex Nicholson

* The Building Of The Ark and The Flood, Company of Cordwainers and York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust, directed by Paul Toy

* The Three Kings and Herod, St Luke’s Church, directed by Mike Tyler

* The Last Supper, Company of Merchant Taylors and Lords of Misrule, directed by Dr Emily Hansen

* The Crucifixion and Death Of Christ, Company of Butchers and Riding Lights Acting Up!, directed by Kelvin Goodspeed and Jared More

* The Appearance Of Jesus To Mary Magdalene, Guild of Media Arts and Guild of Scriveners, directed by Jess Murray

* The Last Judgement, Company of Merchant Adventurers, directed by Alan and Diane Heaven

2022 York Mystery Plays director Tom Straszewski, pictured with Jess Murray, director of The Appearance Of Jesus To Mary Magdalene for the Guild of Media Arts and Guild of Scriveners

2022 York Mystery Plays director Tom Straszewski has confirmed the plays for Mysteries In The Market:

June 22, 7.30pm: Fall Of Adam and Eve; The Flood; The Last Supper; The Crucifixion and The Last Judgement.

June 23, 7.30pm: Creation To The Fifth Day; The Flood; The Last Supper; The Crucifixion and The Last Judgement.

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Guilds of York to roll out York Mystery Plays wagons on city streets on June 19 and 26

2022 York Mystery Plays artistic director Tom Straszewski

HERE come the wagons, rolling through York’s streets on June 19 and 26 for the 2022 York Mystery Plays.

Once more, the driving force behind the community production will be the Guilds of York, maintaining the four-yearly wagon-play cycle they set in motion in 1998 and last implemented in 2018.

Under the artistic direction of Tom Straszewski, the Mystery Plays will be presented on decorated pageant wagons, in keeping with the medieval custom. Pushed by York residents, these will move through the streets to the accompaniment of musicians.

Straszewski’s production will involve nearly 600 people in all, who will create hours of drama, performed for free. Eight wagons will process through the city centre to stage their chosen plays at four locations, including St Sampson’s Square, St Helen’s Square and King’s Manor.

Roger Lee, chairman of York Festival Trust, says: “With arts and culture being amongst the last areas of our lives allowed to return post-Covid, we are delighted to bring York Mystery Plays back to the city this summer and support the rebirth of live performing arts.

James Swanton as Lucifer with cast members of The Last Judgement when plays from the 2018 York Mystery Plays were staged in the Shambles Market. Picture: Lewis Outing

“Our past productions have met with great popular, academic and critical acclaim, and we hope to build on this success with our 2022 production. In their medieval heyday, the Mystery Plays and the Guilds were inextricably linked, and it is this heritage we are reclaiming with these regular four-yearly productions.

Artistic director Tom Straszewski will work with various partners across York to make the Mystery Plays, their story, themes and message accessible to as many people as possible. “After two years of uncertainty for the arts, this is an opportunity for York’s communities to come together to celebrate our city’s heritage through drama, spectacle and pageantry,” he says.

“This will be a huge boost for people’s well-being and a festival to attract York residents and visitors alike to the city on these two Sundays.”

In the era of pandemic lockdowns and climate change, the theme for 2022’s selection of eight plays will be sustainability and transformation. “The plays will cover the creation of the world, floods, last meals together and resurrections. We are still seeking directors, performance groups and actors to take on these plays, including the iconic Crucifixion with the Butchers’ Gild,” says Tom, who was the artistic director and pageant master for the 2018 Mystery Plays too.

“There are still opportunities to be involved and anyone interested should email director@yorkmysteryplays.co.uk.”

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REVIEW: A Resurrection For York, York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust, 3/7/2021

Emily Hansen’s Pilgrim as Mary Magdalene in A Resurrection For York. Picture: John Saunders

A Resurrection For York, Residents Garden, Minster Library, Dean’s Park, York

HAPPENSTANCE may have led to this pandemic-delayed production being staged at the Residents Garden in Dean’s Park, but A Resurrection For York made a compelling case for the York Mystery Plays to take up residence there.

The gardens are self-contained, behind iron railings that facilitate curious passers-by taking a look; the acoustics are clear, without echo; the Minster bells chime on the quarter hour to both complement and compliment the atmosphere, and the setting is perfect for open-air theatre: spacious, green and on a hillock that cries out to be used for moments of high drama or an important monologue.

As Saturday morning’s audience gathered under grey clouds, Philip Parr’s cast members for this York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust, York Festival Trust and York Minster tripartite production were already in situ for the first of six performances in two days.

The premise was that they were playing pilgrims, two canvas tents pitched at the back, everyone in walking boots, with roll-up sleeping mats, blankets, rucksacks and picnics in Enid Blyton retro brown paper bags.

Intentionally, community cast and community audience became indistinguishable: we were all in this together, albeit socially distanced; pilgrims all, gathered to tell each other stories, led by Nick Jones and Sally Maybridge’s exhorting narrators.

From this canvas would emerge Parr’s Pilgrims, dotted around the grass, some staying in that guise, others taking on specific roles, both alongside and on the two static wagons rolled out for significant scenes, one to set the cross in place.

The cross always will be the most potent symbol of the York Mystery Plays, and here it was especially central to Parr and 2018 York Mystery Plays director Tom Straszewski’s hour-long story, adapted from the Mystery Plays cycle of the crucifixion and the events that followed.

The most powerful image was in fact an absence, the dying Christ being represented instead by a shroud, wrapped around the cross pulled high by the grafting soldiers, one declaring himself too tired to finish the task in one of those brief interjections of humour that the Mystery Plays – the street theatre of its time – suddenly throw up.

The shroud became the motif woven through Parr’s production, daubed in blood, later folded up across a wagon to signify Christ’s body placed in the tomb by Joseph of Arimathea (Tony Froud), and then being worn by a tall, dark-haired figure, again emerging from the crowd.

In keeping with medieval tradition, the pilgrim playing Christ was not credited, although a reference to “plus David Denbigh” in the list supplied to CharlesHutchPress may indicate it was him.

Judith Ireland’s Mary, Mother of Jesus, and Emily Hansen’s Mary Magdalene stood out in a cast strong on diction and clear delivery. Music played its part too, largely acappella, choral or folk, with minimal accompaniment, and used sparingly but sung lustily or movingly.

What comes next? 2022 is very likely to see the York Mystery Plays being staged on wagons in June, maybe at the Residents Garden. Watch this space.

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Wagons wheeled in for A Resurrection For York setting of Mystery Plays at Dean’s Park

Preparations are gaining momentum for A Resurrection For York at Dean’s Park on July 3 and 4. Picture: John Saunders

A WEEK to go for A Resurrection For York and everything is dropping into place, the cross and all, at the Residents Garden, Minster Library, Dean’s Park, York.

Initial plans for the open-air play had to be put on hold under pandemic restrictions, but partners York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust, York Festival Trust and York Minster then settled on new performance dates of July 3 and 4.

Directed by Philip Parr, artistic director of Parrabbola, the show’s format will be retained: one hour long, performed outdoors, on two static wagons, and the staging will be compliant with Covid safety requirements for audience social distancing for each day’s 11am, 2pm and 4pm performances.

Since his appointment in March, Parr has worked on the new script with Tom Straszewski, director of the York Mystery Plays’ wagon production in 2018, and auditioned a community cast, subsequently conducting rehearsals on Zoom.

Previously, Parr directed York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust’s production of A Nativity For York at the Spurriergate Centre, York, in December 2019.

Tickets are selling well – some performances have sold out already – and a civic party will attend the opening Saturday performance, followed by the Dean of York, the Right Reverend Dr Jonathan Frost, at a Sunday show.

The arrival of the wagons, loaned by the Guilds of Butchers and Merchant Taylors, was an uplifting moment, as the team of Dave Clapham, Mark Morton and Adam Robinson manoeuvred the trailer and wagons through the Dean’s Park gates, despite the tight squeeze.

Dave Clapham, Mark Morton and Adam Robinson delivering the wagons, or waggons as the York Mystery Plays historians are wont to call them. Picture: John Saunders

On those wagons, the cast will be performing a script by Straszewski and Parr, created from the York Mystery Plays cycle of the crucifixion and the events that followed.

Michael Maybridge, who will play Pilgrim 2, says: “What this script brings to mind is the experience of the very earliest Christians. We might think of our play in terms of the medieval citizens of York, reminding themselves of the narrative of their faith by telling each other stories.

“Many of those Christians found themselves travelling, just like the pilgrims in our play. They carried on telling their stories, and it seems uncontroversial to say that, in doing so, they changed the world.”

Jodie Fletcher, taking the role of Mary Cleophas, says: “The Mystery Plays are a unique part of history, and for me the magic comes from the beautiful and poetic language. It has been wonderful to be creating theatre once more and I hope audiences will find the experience revitalising.”

On July 3, the 2pm performance will be livestreamed on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=UXChGFomf5M and on Facebook at facebook.com/events/584796139152052/.


In addition, the Saturday performances will be filmed as a “record to view later”. “Watch this space. We’ll let you know when it’s available. What’s more, it’s free,” says the latest York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust newsletter.

“Attending a Saturday performance? There may be incidental filming of audience members, so if you do not wish to feature, please let one of the front-of-house stewards know. You can tell them by their face mask and name badge,” it adds.

Wagon wheelers: Dave Clapham, Mark Morton and Adam Robinson

Please note, as seating will not be provided for audiences, make sure to bring a rug or folding chair. Gates will be open to the garden from 10.30am.

Tickets for A Resurrection For York are on sale at ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/york/residents-garden-deans-park/a-resurrection-for-york/

Who will be in the cast for A Resurrection For York?

Pilgrim 1, Wilma Edwards; Pilgrim 2, Michael Maybridge; Pilgrim 3, Victoria Rooke; Pilgrim 4, Mary Callan; Pilgrim 5, Nick Jones (Narrator); Pilgrim 6, Sally Maybridge (Narrator, Peter); Pilgrim 7, Chris Pomfrett (John); no Pilgrim 8.

Pilgrim 9, Julie Speedie; Pilgrim 10, Judith Ireland (Mary, Mother of Christ); Pilgrim 11, Jodie Fletcher (Mary Cleophas); Pilgrim 12, Tony Froud (Joseph of Arimathea); Pilgrim 13, Sonia di Lorenzo (Nicodemus); Pilgrim 14, Emily Hansen (Mary Magdalene).

Pilgrim 15, Raqhael Harte (Thomas); Pilgrim 16, Samuel Valentine (Centurion); Pilgrim 17, Joy Warner (Soldier 1); Pilgrim 18, Harold Mozley (Soldier 2); Pilgrim 19 Janice Barnes Newton (Soldier 3), and Pilgrim 20, Colin Lea (Soldier 4). Plus David Denbigh.  

Production team credits:

Director, Philip Parr; associate director, Terry Ram; producer, Simon Tompsett. 

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York Mystery Plays to be staged in Dean’s Park in A Resurrection For York in July

Raqhael Harte’s Mary with the infant Jesus in York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust’s production of A Nativity For York in December 2019 at the Spurriergate Centre, York. Picture: John Saunders

A RESURRECTION For York will undergo its own resurrection this summer after Covid-19 put the kibosh on the original theatre production.

Plans for the play had to be put on hold earlier this year under pandemic restrictions, but partners York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust, York Festival Trust and York Minster have settled on new performance dates of July 3 and 4.

Directed by Philip Parr, artistic director of Parrabbola, the show’s format will be retained: one hour long, staged outdoors, on two static wagons.

The location will be the Residents Gardens, at Minster Library, Dean’s Park, alongside York Minster, where the limited audience size for each day’s 11am, 2pm and 4pm performances will be governed by the prevailing social-distancing guidelines.

Linda Terry, chair of York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust, says: “With our partners, we have been working hard to bring back live theatre to the city after such a difficult time. The York Mystery Plays have survived past plagues; we wanted to play our part in a new beginning, creating an optimistic and safe event, bringing people together in a vividly imagined drama from York’s literary and cultural inheritance.”

York Festival Trust director Roger Lee is equally enthusiastic: “With arts and culture among the last areas of our lives allowed to return, York Festival Trust is delighted to be part of this project to bring York Mystery Plays back to the city this summer and to support the rebirth of live performing arts,” he says.

The Dean of York, the Right Reverend Dr Jonathan Frost, is “delighted that after the lockdown we have all experienced, events crucial to the life and story of York are beginning to happen again”.

“The theme for the York Mystery Plays this year is resurrection,” he says. “It would be hard to think of a more appropriate focus for a society, community and city coming back to life after a torrid journey. I do hope everyone will find time to enjoy the Mystery Plays.”

Since his appointment as director in March, Parr has been working on the new script with Tom Straszewski, director of the 2018 wagon production of the York Mystery Plays, and auditioning a community cast.

Previously, Parr directed York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust’s production of A Nativity For York at the Spurriergate Centre, York, in December 2019.

Tickets for A Resurrection For York are on sale at ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/york/residents-garden-deans-park/a-resurrection-for-york/

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New partnership to mount Easter open-air production of The York Passion in April

New partnership: York Festival Trust, York Minster and York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust to present The York Passion at Easter

YORK’S new theatre partnership is seeking a director for The York Passion, an outdoor staging planned for Easter Saturday and Monday.

For the first time, York Festival Trust, York Minster and York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust are working together to present an Easter production, performed on two or possibly three static pageant waggons on the hard standing in front of the Minster School, opposite York Minster.

Three performances per day will be staged on April 2 and 4; tickets will be sold for a nominal charge to ensure appropriate Covid-secure distancing arrangements are applied.

The director will be required to create a single play – no more than 70 minutes straight through – from the pageants in the original York Mystery Plays.

The director’s vision must embrace elements from the Crucifixion, the Death of Christ and the Resurrection, possibly starting with the Road to Calvary and ending with the Appearance of Christ to Mary Magdalene.

Tom Straszewski, artistic director of the 2018 York Mystery Plays’ waggon production and 2022 Lincoln Mystery Plays, has produced a working script that can be adapted to meet the director’s requirements, including cutting and modernising the original text.

Cast and crew will be drawn from open auditions from the York community: a tradition of the York Mystery Plays since mediaeval times. Auditions and rehearsals will be conducted virtually, in accordance with Government Coronavirus measures.

Tom Straszewski: Working script that can be adapted to meet the director’s requirements

Linda Terry, chair of York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust, says: “Despite the current dark times, we felt that it was right to look forward and create an opportunity for people to participate in, and enjoy, a theatrical production that fulfilled our aim of keeping York’s Medieval Mystery Play heritage alive in a format that could be enjoyed safely.

“With the country now in its third lockdown, it is unclear what public health measures will be in place during the rehearsal phase and indeed it is quite possible that we may have to cancel or postpone the production, but any such decision will be taken jointly by the partnership and the director.”

For the Easter production, The Passion Trust – a charity focused on performances of Passion plays, including community events, around Britain – has provided funding specifically for live screening a performance to be uploaded subsequently to YouTube.

Roger Lee, York Festival Trust’s chair, highlights the new partnership’s extensive experience: “All three partners have mounted productions of the York Mystery Plays over the past five to 30 years,” he says.

“With the exception of York Minster, the organisations are not exclusively Christian, but the Festival Trust has directed community groups in producing sections of the cycle on waggons every four years since 2002, but this will be the first time the Crucifixion and Resurrection pageants are staged together as a single play.”

Applicants for the director’s role should provide a CV and a proposal for their vision for the open-air production on one side of A4 by midnight on January 30 2021.

A special director information pack is available. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for discussion by Zoom. Applications and enquiries should be emailed to: linda.terry@ympst.co.uk

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Artistic director sought for York Mystery Plays’ spring Passion Play production

Tom Straszewski: Writing an hour-long script for this spring’s Passion Play, presented by the York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust, York Minster and York Festival Trust

AN artistic director is being sought for the York Mystery Plays’ outdoor community production of The Passion and Death of Christ at Easter.

The director will be expected to audition and rehearse in York, possibly virtually in the early stages, and then indoors and outdoors as Covid restrictions permit.

Applicants are asked to submit a one-page initial idea for the Passion Play production, along with a CV. Interest should be registered by emailing York Festival Trust chairman Roger Lee at: roger@yorkmysteryplays.co.uk. More details can be found at: bit.ly/YorkPassionPlay#yorkmysteryplays#york#theatre@YorkFestTrust

Tom Straszewski, director of the 2018 production on York’s streets, is developing an hour-long script for staging on waggons in the grounds of the Minster School, Minster Yard, Deangate, York.

Three performances a day will take place on Saturday, April 3 and Monday, April 5, mounted by a three-way partnership of York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust, York Minster and York Festival Trust.

Funding for the spring production will come from York Festival Trust and York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust, boosted by a £2,000 grant received already from The Passion Plays Trust. Audience members will pay a nominal sum for tickets to enable the organisers to safely manage numbers, access and distancing, if Covid restrictions still apply.

There will be opportunity for involvement in all aspects of the production. Watch this space for updates.