Review: The English Mystery Plays
SITTING in the picturesque ruins of Monk Bretton Priory on a balmy summer's night, it's hard to imagine a more perfect venue for an evening of al fresco drama.
The English Mystery Plays, at the 13th-century priory near Barnsley this month, is thought to be the only traditional outdoor mystery play to be performed anywhere in the UK this summer.
And with comedian Toby Foster heading up the cast, along with Patrick Stewart as the disembodied voice of God, the audience were right to expect a night to remember.
However, despite impressive acting in parts, and enjoyable foot-stamping, bell-jangling morris dancing from Sheffield-based group Boggart's Breakfast, this show has some niggles.
A resurgence of the Mystery Plays came about in Barnsley in 1977, when a group from Worsbrough High School visited the York Mystery Plays and decided to stage their own version.
The plays continued every three years until 2004, with writer and director of this production, John Kelly, taking the helm on three occasions.
To create his own English Mystery Plays, which he says are 80 per cent new writing, Kelly spent years studying the only scripts that did survive the Reformation, including the York and Wakefield cycles.
However, the well-written script is lost in parts as many of the 200-strong cast, mainly from Barnsley's Secret Theatre Company, have difficulty making themselves heard.
While some cast members – notably Toby Foster as Bogoak, Reece Andrews as Lucifer and Grace Kelly as Eve – shine, others appear out of their depth.
It's almost worth going along just to experience traditional drama in the magic of the Priory setting – but a cushion for the uncomfortable seats and a hefty dollop of patience are recommended.
At Monk Bretton Priory, To July 11.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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