Introduction:
York Mystery Plays: 1951 to the present day
The York Mystery Plays return to the Museum Gardens from 2 to 27 August 2012. Presented by York Theatre Royal, Riding Lights Theatre Company and York Museums Trust and supported by City of York Council, this bold accessible adaptation of the Plays is scripted by York writer Mike Kenny. Over 1,000 people from the local community will act with a team of professionals to create this spectacular production. For more details visit www.yorkmysteryplays2012.com.
- just in time - that we should 'get on' with talking to people who had been involved with the Plays to record their personal memories before it was too late.This is the story of the revival of York Mystery Plays from the Festival of Britain in 1951 to the present day, told by the many individuals who have been involved with the Plays - whether as actors, stage hands or front of house - through their personal memories, photographs and press cuttings.
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This website is designed to offer a snapshot of the myriad productions of the Plays which have taken place in the city over the past 60 years, whether in the ruins of St Mary's Abbey, on the stage of the York Theatre Royal, in the nave of York Minster or on the traditional wagons drawn through the streets of the city of York - and to demonstrate the range of musical styles used to enhance the Plays throughout that time.This project was drawn together by the National Centre for Early Music in Walmgate, York, and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund with support from The York Civic Trust, the Feoffes of St Michael's, Spurriergate, Mayfield Valley Arts Trust, the City of York Council and Arts Council England, Yorkshire.
We hope that you enjoy what follows. If you have archival material to add to our collection, or have a relevant link to be added to this site please contact us at the National Centre for Early Music.