PRESS RELEASE
June 2, 2013
FINAL CHESTER MYSTERY PLAYS FILM SHOT IN
FRODSHAM FIELD
A rare drop of May sunshine and a field full of golden rapeseed
means that filming for the 2013 production of the Chester Mystery
Plays is now in the can.
The Ascension of Jesus was filmed last week in a Frodsham field
by Andy Davies and his team from The Harlequin Project at the
University of Chester with mystery plays director Peter Leslie Wild,
choreographer Katherine Robinson and writer Stephanie Dale.
Stephanie has adapted the original 25 medieval Bible stories into a
21st century script which will be performed by a cast of 300 at
Chester Cathedral from June 26-July 13. The plays are produced
in Chester once every five years.
Peter said: "We are working in the magnificent nave for the first
time ever which has meant we have been able to enhance some of
the key moments of the story with film and graphics.
“One of the dramatic high points of the Chester Mystery Plays is
the Ascension of Jesus, and it was important for us to find a truly
spectacular way of depicting this.”
This is the first time that film has been used in the Chester Mystery
Plays’ 700-year history.
Peter added: “The cathedral is a fantastic space and it is important
for everyone in the audience to get a sense of the power of this
amazing event.
"It was Stephanie’s idea to film in a rape field. We wanted a bright,
golden feel to the film, and we were incredibly lucky to have a
perfect sunny evening for the shoot - the supernatural element of
the Ascension lends itself perfectly to its use.”
Peter added: "Designer Judith Croft has done a superb job of
integrating the film screens into her wonderful set design and Andy
has created something which I hope will stun the audience with its
power and beauty."
Five of the original 25 medieval plays, which were written by
Benedictine monks at the Abbey of St Werburgh (now Chester
Cathedral), will be represented through the medium of film: The
Purification, The Temptation in the Desert, Cure of the Blind Man,
Christ & the Leper Simon and The Ascension.
The first four were filmed in Chester city centre during April.
Ends
For further information, contact Jo Henwood 07810 756410
Notes to editors:
1. The 2013 production of the Chester Mystery Plays will be in
the nave of Chester Cathedral from June 26 – July 13.
Tickets are available by telephone from 01244 500959 or
from www.chestermysteryplays.com. There will be signed
2.
3.
4.
5.
performances on Saturday, June 29 at 1pm and Monday,
July 1 at 7.30pm.
The Chester Mystery Plays were written in the 14th century
by monks at the Abbey of St Werbugh (now Chester
Cathedral). They were originally performed by the city’s
Freemen and Guildsmen on wagons in the streets. The
plays, which tell Bible stories from The Creation to The Last
Judgment with a special Chester twist, were banned in the
late 16th century for bawdiness and ‘Popery’ but Chester
was the last to concede in 1578.
The Chester Mystery Plays were revived in 1951 to celebrate
the Festival of Britain and have been performed in the city
approximately every five years since then.
The 2013 production of the Chester Mystery Plays has a
large community cast of 300 from Chester, North Wales, the
Wirral and Liverpool.
The Chester Mystery Plays are directed by Peter Leslie Wild
with original music by Matt Baker. Judith Croft’s set will
transform the cathedral nave into God’s workshop and raked
seating will be installed to ensure that everyone has a good
view.