Medieval mysteries to celebrate Easter in Warwick

Forty-two performers from Warwickshire, the West Midlands, Oxfordshire and Gloustershire will take audience members on a journey from Creation to Doomsday as they celebrate Easter with their take on The Medieval Mystery Plays, where God is played by a young lady.

In the year of celebrations for the 400th anniversary of The King James’ Bible, Playbox Theatre is rediscovering the roots of our culture and encouringing people to think about how the mystery plays speak to the 2011 audience.

Artistic director Stewart McGill said: “Whatever may have been their original conception, these plays become in the Middle Ages, of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Performed on a long traverse stage reminiscent of a cathedral or roadway, the drama will be rolled out in two parts at the Dream Factory in Shelley Avenue, Warwick, on Friday April 22 and Saturday April 23, with the full cycle staged at the venue on Sunday April 24 and again at Gloucester Cathedral on Sunday May 8.

Part I, Creation and Passion, tells the story of the world, Adam and Eve and Noah’s Flood, while in the midst of political turmoil a voice is heard for peace and unification.

In Part II, Passion and Domesday, the voice is quashed and the world descend into chaos and apocalypse.

Stewart said: “Playbox Theatre’s creation is derived from the York, Wakefield, Chester and Coventry Cycles, originally performed by working men and craftsmen.

“In the York Cycle, the bakers took responsibility for the Last Supper and the nail makers, the Crucifixion.

“In rehearsals and devising this new work we ask, ‘What do these early plays have to say to us in 2011 – is there something here to provoke and challenge audiences today?’”

The company’s production has been created by Mary King and Emily Jane Quash, with designs by Commedia and lighting and technical design by Ian Roberts.

Tickets for Parts I and II, which begin at 2pm on both days, cost £11.50 (£7.50 concessions).

Tickets for the complete cycle, which starts at 3pm at the Warwick performance at 7.30pm at the Gloucester show, cost £13.50 (£8.50 concessions).

Call 419555 ext 2.