his project is inspired by the Friends of York Mystery Plays who reminded us - just in time - that we should ‘get on’ with talking to people who had been involved with the Plays to record their personal memories before it was too late.

This is the story of the revival of York Mystery Plays from the Festival of Britain in 1951 to the present day told by the many individuals who have been involved with the Plays - whether as actors, stage hands or front of house - through their personal memories, photographs and press cuttings.

This website is designed to offer a snapshot of the myriad productions of the Plays which have taken place in the City over the past 50 years, whether in the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey, on the stage of the York Theatre Royal, in the Nave of York Minster or on the traditional wagons drawn through the streets of the city - and to demonstrate the range of musical styles used to enhance the Plays throughout that time.

This project was drawn together by the National Centre for Early Music in York, and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund with support from The York Civic Trust, the Feoffes of St Michael's Spurriergate, Mayfield Vallery Arts Trust, the City of York Council and Arts Council England, Yorkshire.

We hope that you enjoy what follows. If you have archival material to add to our collection, or have a relevant link to be added to this site please contact us at the National Centre for Early Music.