YORK’S civic anniversary celebrations in 2012 are to be marked by the return of its historic Mystery Plays to their spiritual home – the Museum Gardens.
Famous faces who have appeared in plays staged amid the atmospheric ruins of St Mary’s Abbey include Dame Judi Dench, who was the Virgin Mary in 1957, and Christopher Timothy, who played Christ in 1980.
But the plays have not been performed there since 1988, and a Keep York Mystery Plays Alive campaign by The Press in 2003 appeared to have failed.
However, it was announced today that they will return to the gardens in August 2012, with more than 1,000 people able to watch each of 28 performances from covered seating. A small number of “high-profile” actors are expected to take part.
The joint artistic directors for the 2012 production, Paul Burbridge, of the Riding Lights Theatre, and Damian Cruden, of York Theatre Royal, want the plays to be the centrepiece of a rolling programme of community festival events throughout the city.
They said in a joint statement: “Our vision is to create a bold, exhilarating piece of story-telling theatre on an operatic scale, to re-invigorate the tradition and the language and make these plays accessible to a modern audience.”
“We want to stage the Mystery Plays in a way that resonates with both past and present and appeals to those of religious faith or none.
“Above all, we want to bring an extraordinary and passionate performance out of our community, resourced with the highest aesthetic and production values. We want to remind everyone that the ownership of this remarkable tradition rests with the people of York.”
Council leader Andrew Waller said the plays would be a huge draw to the city, and help residents and visitors alike to celebrate its heritage. “The year 2012 will mark 800 years since the city gained its Charter and so is a special year,” he said.
“As someone who has been involved with three sets of Mystery Plays on wagons, I hope that many York residents will get involved in the plays in Museum Gardens and help us celebrate in style”.
Liz Wilson, chief executive of York Theatre Royal, said the plays would be an incredible spectacle.
She said: “The plays have a worldwide reputation as well as a huge York following. We hope to start working with the people of York from today on an event of which we will all be proud.”
Janet Barnes, chief executive of York Museums Trust, said the abbey ruins were the plays’ perfect setting and, with more than a thousand people being able to watch each performance under covered seating, there would be a fantastic atmosphere.
She said: “I am sure it will be one of the highlights of 2012.”
Ruth Ford, who played God in the plays in 1996 and 2006, said they were a wonderful opportunity for the people of York to get together and they embodied the spirit of Christianity.
Organisers said a community producer was being appointed to build links with community groups in and around York to ensure as many residents as possible were involved on stage and behind the scenes.
• To register your interest, visit www.yorkmysteryplays2010.co.uk
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