City famous for mystery plays seeks director for its nativity
YORK’S PAGEANT wagon Mystery Plays, banned by Tudor monarchs in 1569, have long been hailed as one of the city’s greatest literary exports and a symbol of its cultural heritage.
Now, following the unheralded success of its first Christmas season, the Mystery Players’ Trust is searching for a new nativity director to keep this tradition alive.
A briefing notice has been issued for the position, with potential candidates having until midnight on May 30 to apply.
“Last year we achieved our aim to make the production both visible and accessible,” said Linda Terry, chair of the York Mystery Players Supporters Trust (YMPST). “We were delighted that ‘A Nativity for York’ appealed to so many in the community, to both residents and visitors to the city. The trust believes that we can build on the success of 2019 with another innovative production as part of the city of York’s Christmas festival.”
In medieval York the Mystery Plays had been an expression of civic piety, as community actors paraded through city streets on wagons to present the great moments of Christian history.
One early reference suggest they may have been performed as far back as 1376, to celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi, but following Protestant Reformation such Catholic traditions were replaced or removed.
The Mystery Plays, rediscovered in 1895, were brought back to the streets of York thereafter, and over time it has grown.
Last year the trust launched an hour-long Christmas nativity, drawing from the plays making up the Nativity Cycle.
It was an opportunity, said organisers, for actors, musicians and stage crew to participate in the Christmas Festival, and for guests to celebrate the story of Christmas in the heart of York.
Now, the trust says, the hope is to keep alive the skills, support and enthusiasm generated through the York Mystery Plays.
It is hoped the nativity can be held on Spurriergate Centre in York in December.