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There
is a plan afoot to have some fun, for those who like that sort
of thing: community pleasure and creativity. Not a centralised
initiative, but something that you can make happen in your place
– parish, benefice or deanery.
The
idea is a diocesan cycle of mystery plays where each scene happens
in a different place. Each play in the cycle might last half an
hour and take up to ten weeks of workshop and rehearsal to produce.
If
you decide you might be interested have a chat with me, Sarah
Cawdell. The experts onboard are Ian Craigan and John Frith who
have done this sort of thing before, and are good at enabling,
encouraging and managing local talent. They will come to you and
put on workshops and rehearsals, gathering local material to make
the story live in your place.
You
don’t need a lot of money to start with; you may raise some from
ticket sales. It is probably a good idea if there is someone in
your parish who will run with this – not necessarily a church
person, but someone enthusiastic who will gather others around
them.
Where
next?
For
more information, click on the links, and give me a ring to have
a chat if you are interested. A
meeting is being convened in May to enable anyone interested to
discuss the project. For
more info contact:
The
Mystery Play Cycles
Over
nearly three centuries the cities of Medieval Europe, through
the wealth and power of their great trading Guilds developed these
great ‘cycles’ of plays telling the biblical story of God’s relationship
with Man from Creation to Judgement Day. Ultimately linked to
the Feast of Corpus Christi and in the case of York extending
to 48 possible ‘episodes’, the Guild plays were powerful dramas
in native and vernacular tongue. Often performed at a number of
stations round the city from wooden carts the whole cycle could
take days to complete. The authors, often anonymous, brought theatrical
craft and human emotion to bear on the core theology, creating
the roots of dramatic tradition in this country. Only four English
cycles have survived but many more cities are known, through historical
references, to have held these pageants; including Hereford.
Finally
killed off for political and social reasons in the 16 th century,
most texts disappeared. There have been many revivals over the
years up to the present day; Guilds in York present a selection
of plays every other year & performances are held regularly
in Coventry, Chester and Lincoln.
A
new cycle for the 21st Century?
The
appeal of the medieval plays is the power of their vision, the
earthiness of their language and the permission they give to express
and explore Christian theology in an unapologetic fashion. Rather
than simply recreate this attitude, wouldn’t it be exciting to
replicate the spirit but in the vernacular of the present day?
To rediscover some mystery in an age of mechanisation and modems!
Yet
Hereford Anglican diocese is geographically and culturally diverse
but with a predominantly rural flavour. With small congregations,
widely spread communities and overstretched clergy, what chance
is there of bringing people together effectively to achieve
such a creative challenge? A snowball’s chance!
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The
format of the mystery cycle – short, sequential plays each with
a pithy narrative– is an ideal vehicle for linking up parishes
separated by miles and topography. Starting with a single willing
community, a small creative team will support the development
of the first Play, lasting no more than 30mins. This will then
be performed in the next willing community who will take on the
task of devising & presenting a second self-contained performance
to a third willing community, and so on. At regular intervals,
all the parishes will be invited to participate in a run of the
‘Cycle-to-date’ at a central point, such as Hereford Cathedral.
By
making each project seasonal it should be possible to enable
four parishes to create their own Mystery Play each year; more
if resources become available to allow more than one parish
to be supported at a time. There will also be nothing to stop
earlier participants from expanding and improving on their efforts
if they wish; and nothing to stop other communities from going
it alone without outside assistance!
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To
ensure that the Hereford Mystery Cycle achieves a shape and structure
in reasonable time we will pick no more than 15 key episodes for
the starting line-up. These can be based on the traditional themes
(see below) or new episodes might be chosen
to better suit the 21st Century sensibility of the cycle; a decision
will be made well in advance.
We’re
just not ready!
Whilst
a core group of enthusiasts will be essential, it can’t be expected
that participating communities will have every resource ready
to use ‘off the peg’; in fact the strength of the project is its
potential to bring together currently separate interests under
a creative umbrella. Parishes with schools will have a strong
nucleus to begin with; in other places it may be the Women’s Institute,
the Gardening Club or Young Farmers!
To
provide inspiration and focus to this project the Diocese will
commission a small core team to work with each participating
parish. This team will spend time in the locality, meeting groups
and individuals and helping to turn an idea into reality.
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Ian
Craigan :
community artist
Ian
has considerable experience of coordinating community drama projects
as writer, director and producer. A Theatre graduate with many
years experience in rural community arts, his CV includes ‘And
Now the Good News’, a millennium Passion Play for Ledbury, specially
devised for and performed in St Michael’s & All Angels and
bringing together a wide range of groups and interests.
John
Frith :
composer
John
Frith was born in Hampshire, and has had a lifelong love of music.
His professional training began at Dartington College of Arts
where he studied composition with Richard Hall and clarinet with
Gerard Trevette. Whilst at Dartington he took up the French horn.
He continued his musical education at the Guildhall School of
Music, where he studied horn with Anthony Halstead and composition
with Edmund Rubbra, winning the brass and school composition prizes
in 1970 and 1971.
Having
combined professional horn playing with teaching for some years,
John went on to work with Worcestershire Youth Music in the dual
role of Brass Teacher and Composer in Residence in county schools,
developing creative projects with young children.
John
has written extensively for wind, brass, strings and voices and
has published many pieces for various combinations of instruments,
some of which have been both professionally recorded and broadcast
by the BBC.
John’s
works can be found in the catalogues of Emerson Editions Ltd;
Camden Music; Warwick Music; the Associated Board; Studio Music;
Fentone Music and more recently, a series of wind sonatas for
bassoon, clarinet and flute have become available from
Hop
Vine Music.
Community
art is a particular interest which has resulted in two large scale
works written for John’s local community of Ledbury in Herefordshire
- a ‘Passion Play’ (2001) and a ‘Mystery Play (2005).
Recent
commissions include a bass trombone concertino for Jonathan Warburton
(to be premiered in York Minster later this year) and ‘The Wanderer’,
a setting of eight poems by John Masefield, which will receive
its first performance during the annual International Poetry Festival
given by the Ledbury Community Choir and Orchestra in July this
year.
Ian
& John will seek to engage local people in every aspect
of the production. This team will also be able to draw on the
skills of associate artists to provide Technical support, Dance
coordination & design advice.
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Barkers
(Tanners) – The Creation , and the Fall of Lucifer
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Plasterers
– The Creation – up to the Fifth Day
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Cardmakers
– Creation of Adam and Eve
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Fullers
(Preparers of woolen cloth) – Adam and Eve in Eden
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Coopers
(Maker of wooden casks) – The Fall of Man
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Armourers
– Expulsion from Eden
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Glovers
– Sacrifice of Cain and Abel
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Shipwrights
– Building of the Ark
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Fishers
and Mariners – Noah and his Wife
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Parchmenters
and Bookbinders – Abraham and Isaac
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Hosiers
– Departure of the Israelites from Egypt ; Ten Plagues ;
Crossing of the Red Sea
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Spicers
– Annunciation and Visitation
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Pewterers
and Founders – Joseph 's Trouble about Mary
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Tile-thatchers
– Journey to Bethlehem
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Chandlers
(Candlemakers) – Shepherds
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Masons
– Coming of the Three Kings to Herod
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Goldsmiths
– Coming of the Kings : Adoration
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Marshals
(Grooms) – Flight into Egypt
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Girdlers
and Nailers – Slaughter of the Innocents
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Spurriers
and Lorimers (Spurmakers, makers of bits, etc.) – Christ
with the Doctors
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Barbers
– Baptism of Jesus
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Curriers
(Men who dress leather) – Transfiguation
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Capmakers
– Woman Taken in Adultery; Lazarus
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Skinners
– Christ's Entry into Jerusalem
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Cordwainers
(Shoemakers) – Agony and Betrayal
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Bowyers
and Fletchers – Peter's Denial; Jesus before Caiphas
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Tapiters
(Makers of tapestry and carpets) and Couchers – Dream of
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Listers
(Dyers) – Trial before Herod
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Cooks
and Water-leaders – Second Accusation before Pilot; Remorse
of Judas; Purchase of the Field of Blood
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Tilemakers
– Second Trial before Pilate
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Shearmen
– Christ Led to Calvary
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Pinners
and Painters – Crucifixion
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Butchers
– Mortification of Christ; Burial
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Saddlers
– Harrowing of Hell
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Carpenters
– Resurrection
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Winedrawers
– Christ's Appearance to Mary Magdalene
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Sledmen
– Travellers to Emmaus
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Hatmakers,
Masons, Labourers – Purification of Mary ; Simeon and Anna
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Scriveners
– Incredulity of Thomas
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Potters
– Descent of the Holy Spirit
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Drapers
(Dealers in cloth and dry goods) – The Death of Mary
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Weavers
– The Appearance of Mary to Thomas
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Ostlers
(Stablemen) – Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin
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Mercers
(Dealers in textiles) – Judgement Day
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