Mystery Plays were originally performed in church in the Middle Ages as embellishments of formal rituals and gradually moved from the church to the churchyard and marketplace and temporary stages. In 1210, when a papal edict forbade the clergy from appearing on stage in public, the Mystery Plays began to be performed by local trade guilds who elaborated the scripts and developed the dramatic elements. These guilds were called 'Mysterium', hence the term 'Mystery' plays. The plays grew over the following centuries into huge pageants. Some Cycles had as many as 40 plays and would take many days to perform. Some academics cite plays starting at 4.30am and, following several performances around the town on a cart, the exhausted players would finish by torchlight at midnight. Many cycles became epic and the countless generations of anonymous writers introduced comical and discourteous themes into their work. For example, a Mrs Noah who won't get into the ark until she is beaten, a drunken Noah who curses at his neighbours, and a sheep stealer who brings high farce to the shepherds scene in the nativity.| 28 Jun 09 to 11 Jul 09 | General General, South Yorkshire Performance Details => Venue archive |
