Princess Beatrice agrees to be patron of Theatre Royal

PRINCESS Beatrice has agreed to become the patron of one of York’s theatres after witnessing its work firsthand for a landmark production of the city’s renowned Mystery Plays.

The Duke of York’s elder daughter has decided to take up the position after she visited York Theatre Royal’s costume workshops to see preparations ahead of last year’s production which marked the city’s 800th anniversary since being granted a Royal charter.

The visit by the Princess culminated with her cutting the first piece of fabric for a costume of an angel under the supervision of community wardrobe supervisor Janet Hull.

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York Theatre Royal’s chief executive, Liz Wilson, spoke yesterday of her delight after the Princess confirmed that she had agreed to become the venue’s patron.

She said: “We are delighted and looking forward to welcoming her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice to the Theatre Royal on her next visit to York to personally thank her for her support.”

The Mystery Plays, which chart the story of the Bible, were the city’s biggest outdoor theatre production in more than two decades when they were staged in the Museum Gardens in August last year.

The plays were first performed in the 1300s but abandoned during the Reformation before they were revived in the 20th century.