The 2006 play cycle

The Plays chosen for the 2006 production were:

1) The Fall of the Angels
2) The Creation of the World
3) The Creation and Fall of Man
4) Herod and The Magi
5) Christ and The Doctors
6) The Temptation
7) The Entry into Jerusalem
8) The Crucifixion
9) The Harrowing of Hell
10) The Resurrection and meeting with Mary Magdalene
11) Pentecost
12) The Last Judgement

The 2006 cycle blended some familiar plays with some less familiar and infrequently performed episodes from the York cycle. The overall architecture of the proposed cycle was retained: a narrative of the Christian history of mankind from Creation to Last Judgement.

The selection was somewhat darker in tone than that offered in 2002, with a greater emphasis on the conflict between good and evil. This offered a more coherent narrative, and invited a thoughtful production whilst not being over sombre; perhaps a reflection of the times in which we live.

Two of the plays were composites comprising two or more episodes from the extant cycle - translated and edited by the Pageant Master, Mike Tyler, specifically for this production.

2006 York Mystery Plays DVDs

An edited DVD of the 9 July production is now available. Details are available on the DVDs page.

More background information on the plays, and the York guilds, can be found on our website from the 2002 production.