PRESS RELEASE: 18 February 2012
Share the Mystery
On 19 and 20 November 2011, the Chester Mystery Plays 2013 Artistic Director,
Peter Leslie Wild, and Writer, Stephanie Dale, held workshops for those interested
in getting involved with the 2013 Cycle.
The original medieval plays were created by and for the people of Chester, and the
2013 production (a single 3-hour experience this time, to be performed in the nave
of Chester Cathedral) will try to reflect that. The workshops will explore what life is
like in Chester and surrounding areas in the 21st Century. Some of the ideas and
themes which emerge from the workshops will be fed directly into Stephanie’s
adaptation of the Chester Mystery Plays for 2013.
Les Ellison moved to the Chester area recently and came along to one of the
November workshops. “I thoroughly enjoyed it and I’m really excited by the 2013
project”, he commented. “Peter and Stephanie are absolutely the right director and
writer for the job. They’re excellent with the people they have to work with –
patient, respectful, encouraging, imaginative and inclusive. I think their approach to
the plays is spot-on for 21st century Chester. They've really got something the
audience will relate to, understand and find instantly accessible.”
“We had an amazing time at the workshops”, Peter Wild responded. “So much so
we’ve decided to do it all again! We’ll be running one more session before
Stephanie starts the writing process in earnest and would love to meet more people
– those who have been involved in (or seen) the Mystery Plays before as well as
those, like Les, who have never experienced them. It was the first time we’d spent
some quality time in Chester and we were really impressed and delighted by
everything from walking the Walls to viewing Roman ruins in Spud-u-Like! In
February we are planning to do a Ghost Tour and spend time with Street Pastors to
get more of a feel for Chester, its history and its people.”
Vanda Hargen (a regular performer with the Mystery Plays) added, “The 3 hour
workshop just flew by. It was fun as well as stimulating, and it was really excellent to
be working with Peter and Stephanie – I’ll definitely be signing up for 2013!”
The workshop will run from 10am - 1pm on Saturday 4 February 2012, and will be in
the Cloister Room at Chester Cathedral. Places will be allocated on a “first come,
first served” basis, so book your place now by emailing
info@chestermysteryplays.com. Those who came in November need not book again
as the workshop will cover the same ground.
Peter and Stephanie will also be working with Composer and Music Director, Matt
Baker and Designer, Judith Croft on the 2013 production.
Tickets for the 2013 production of Chester Mystery Plays are now on sale at
www.chestermysteryplays.com / 01244 500959.
- Ends -
Press contact: Jane Dawson, 07813 661949 / info@chestermysteryplays.com
www.chestermysteryplays.com
Photo by Neil Kendall:
Participants at the November workshops