The poster for the Bar Convent’s debut involvement in the York Mystery Plays Festival
THE Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre, in Blossom Street, York, is celebrating its medieval heritage by taking part in the theatrical spectacle of the York Mystery Plays Festival for the first time.
Making the headlines are:
* Women in the Mystery Plays exhibition, until August 29.
* Performance of Journey To Calvary in the garden, July 4, 2pm.
* Medieval Arma Christi scroll, on display until July 4, for the last time until 2027.
* Family-friendly activities during summer school holidays.
Every four years, the streets of York are transformed into an immersive historic stage as part of the Mystery Plays tradition dating back to medieval times. The Bar Convent is thrilled to be included in the programme of special events taking over the city with performances, exhibitions, talks, trails and more.
Dr Hannah Thomas: Special collections manager and research fellow at the Bar Convent. Picture: Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre
Dr Hannah Thomas says: “The discovery of the incredible rare medieval Arma Christi prayer scroll has enabled us to explore and reinterpret our medieval heritage and connections across the city.
“York Mystery Plays Festival is such a befitting partnership for us with its religious content, our medieval links, both histories intertwining with the Reformation and the fact that the Arma Christi scroll depicts the Journey to Calvary.
“We are incredibly excited to showcase our collections to new audiences, to work with Diane Heaven on her new display and for people to experience our garden in a new and exciting way.”
Diane Heaven, curator of the Women in the Mystery Plays exhibition, says: “I have worked on the York Mystery Plays Festival for five cycles in various capacities. This year, I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to curate this exhibition at the Bar Convent to honour and celebrate the Women of the Mystery Plays, past and present.
“From Lucy Toulmin Smith, the woman who re-discovered and then translated the medieval manuscripts, to those working on the plays today who have been generous enough to provide us with scrap books, model stages, fabrics and sketches that give us a fascinating and unique insight into the creative processes behind the plays.”
Women in the Mystery Plays and the Arma Christi display are included in admission to the Bar Convent exhibition, open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, last admission 4pm. Journey To Calvary is a free event.
Women in the Mystery Plays, on display in the Gregory Gallery at the Bar Convent. Picture: Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre
Activities for York Mystery Plays Festival at Bar Convent
Women in the Mystery Plays, curated by Diane Heaven, until August 29.
FASCINATING exploration of women in the York Mystery Plays, past and present, revealing hidden stories, voices and contributions across the years. The exhibition also responds to the Bar Convent’s medieval collections and significance as a driving force for equality both historically and in the present day.
Curator Diane Heaven has taken on many roles in the York Mystery Plays over the years, but for 2026, she has written and adapted the music for Doomsday, designed the costumes and set and made many of the costumes (examples of which can be seen on display at the Bar Convent).
Arma Christi, on public display, until July 4
ARMA Christi, the most spectacular medieval prayer scroll in the world, is on display for the last time until 2027. From the 11 scrolls that have survived the Reformation, the Bar Convent Arma Christi is the best preserved and the only example to have responses, which gives new insight into how experts previously thought the scrolls were used. This will be on display alongside the convent’s medieval collection.
Summer at the Bar Convent, July 20 to September 5
IN celebration of the York Mystery Plays Festival, enjoy a summer of creativity at the Bar Convent. Visit the new display Women of the Mystery Plays and take inspiration from the creatives past and present who have worked on these spectacular medieval historic plays.
Journey To Calvary in rehearsal. Picture: York Mystery Plays Trust
Find children’s costumes to try on and explore the beautiful colours of the medieval Arma Christi, alongside the objects throughout the exhibition, to create your own artwork.
Step into the garden where you will find easels and art materials to capture the nature that surrounds you. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Admission applies to the exhibition. Easels are available at no charge, Monday to Friday.
Journey To Calvary, July 4, 2pm
THE Bar Convent garden will become a stage for Journey To Calvary: Play No. 34, presented in response to the Arma Christi scroll. For the story of Jesus having to carry his cross to the place of crucifixion, uniquely among this summer’s plays, Journey To Calvary does not utilise a pageant waggon, on account of the fundamentally processional nature of the play.
This free performance will run for 20 minutes approximately; some seating will be provided. Food and drink can be bought at the Bar Convent café, with a discount to the Bar Convent exhibition available for those who attend. Find more details at yorkmysteryplays.co.uk/the-2026-festival/.
Bar Convent: back story
THE Bar Convent was established in 1686, when it was illegal to be a Roman Catholic, hiding in plain sight as a school for girls. The foundress of the order was Yorkshire woman Mary Ward (1585-1625), a pioneer in women’s education who famously said, “There is no such difference between men and women that women may not do great things”.
Over the past 300 years, the order has been entrusted with the safe-keeping of many relics and artefacts, many of them on display in the exhibition.
Today, the Bar Convent is the oldest living convent in Great Britain. The house is central to the global order and there are more than 200 schools worldwide in Mary Ward’s name.
The house is open for all faiths and none to explore, with an exhibition, chapel, café, garden, meeting rooms and guest house on site.
The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre, in Blossom Street, York. Picture: Gareth Buddo