Originally staged by the Shermen Play no. 34. Jesus must carry his cross to the place of crucifixion. What happens The noise and the press is so great from the crowd that 1 Soldier threatens them with violence to calm them down, reminding them he is a representative of Pilate himself. He warns them…
Originally staged by the Pinners, with the Painters or the Latoners Play no. 35. The soldiers crucify Jesus. What happens Four Soldiers have arrived in Calvary. They may be identifiable through costume or behaviour as the ones from the preceding Journey to Calvary. They are in a hurry to get Jesus crucified as he…
Originally staged by the Girdlers & Nailers Of the several brutal plays in the York Mystery Cycle, this one is often the most upsetting to witness. What happens Herod is silencing the crowd of people about him with the reminder that if they serve him, they serve his deity too, who is not God.…
Originally staged by the Chandlers At Number 15 in the Cycle it is the most musical of the plays. What happens The Shepherds are both comical and deeply serious, shifting from one state to the other through the play, just as they escort us from a cold and practical world outside to a warm…
Originally staged by the Fishers and Mariners This is no. 9 in the Cycle and one of the most recognisable across faiths, as a deluge is found in many. What happens Noah opens by telling us about himself, now that he is 600 years old, and the prediction made by his father…
Originally staged by the Coopers Number 5 in the York Mystery Plays Cycle has five roles and a single problem: how do you keep your promise when the alternative is so tempting? What happens For 2026 we’ve taken the moment from Play no. 3 staged by the Cardmakers in which God creates humanity…
Originally staged by the Plasterers This is the second of the York Mystery Plays, and is unusual for having only one speaking role. What happens Having created heaven and hell, God turns his attention to Earth. God reminds everyone that eternal joy is there – but only for those who follow him. He creates the environment for…
Walk the original performance stations of the York Mystery Plays. One of the extraordinary things about the York Cycle is that most of the original route can still be followed and some of the structures connected with the event still remain. So, ahead of the coming Festival in June, we are delighted to be…
The War in Heaven was originally staged by the Tanners’ Guild. This is the first of the York Mystery Plays, originally played as dawn breaks. What happens God creates Earth, Heaven and Hell. In Heaven he first forms nine orders of angels to live in eternal bliss, as long as they are loyal to…