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2008
Lincoln Mystery Plays 2008
Southwell Minster 10-12 July
Lincoln Cathedral 18-26 July
One of the key concepts underpinning my interpretation will be that of 'community'. The intention is to establish a fictional community of Lincoln crafts folk and Guild members, all of whom will be individually identifiable throughout the evening. The audience will be able to recognise the Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker, et al, as they set up their scenes, adopt roles within their particular plays and give support to each play in the cycle.
The plays grew out of a particular community, a community which, like our own, was in a process of change. The plays were seen as an opportunity for working people to challenge, as well as celebrate, the pervading culture of their time. The challenge for the 2008 company is give the plays a resonance and meaning which will make connections for a contemporary audience. It is my intention to base the interpretation upon the kinds of principles that one can assume were at the heart of the original productions.
My belief is that these performances thrived within Medieval society because of significant community needs. The plays provided an ideal opportunity for:
• Entertainment
• Religious and spiritual fulfilment
• Social celebration
And, as is the case with all theatre,
• An opportunity to raise questions and challenges within the performance of a powerful story.
The plays will be performed in conventional format and in the recognised order. Each play will be performed by a specific Guild, and the nature of that Guild will be evident in the performance. The following are offered as examples only:
The Gardeners will present The Creation The Apothecaries will present Lazarus The Brewers will present The Trial of Mary and Joseph The Bakers Guild will present The Last Supper
There will be a presentation of each play in this production; some will be concise, others performed in their entirety. I want the audience to have a sense of the magnitude of the events being depicted, whilst at the same time creating a brisk and energetic production.
The music is to be an integral dimension of the production. It will be based upon Lincolnshire Folk Song, with the musicians clearly visible and often taking part in the dramatic action. Although a lot of the music is being prepared , in terms of composing, adapting and scoring, there will be much that is improvisational and created as a response within the rehearsal process.
Liam Robinson is to be The Musical Director, with Frank Kelly, Lesley Clark and Tim Walker already committed to taking part in the production.
The interpretation will be supported by the design of the lighting, music, sound, setting, costumes and props. Texture, colour, shape and material will reflect both the genre of each play, as well as the fictitious Craft-Guild that has been selected to perform it.
David Dray has already begun work on the staging and Lighting and Jess Farmer and Laura Hill intend to have the design work completed by Christmas.
The Guilds that might be represented [although this will require some research] are:
Bakers, Brewers, Stone Masons, Weavers, Cloth makers, Dyers, Apothecaries, Cobblers, Blacksmiths, Potters, Millers, Goldsmiths, Wheelwrights, Gardeners, Carpenters, Merchants, Candle Makers and Sowers.
A further aim is to create a large scale ensemble company, with the cast involved in changing the settings and scenes, in their roles as local craft folk. This will, I hope, facilitate a sense of involvement and ownership amongst everyone involved.
The evening of each performance will begin with a Medieval Fayre, outside The Cathedral and Minster. This will involve people making things, eating, drinking, juggling, entertaining, etc.
The band will then strike up, the audience will be gathered together, they will be led into the performance area and...........The 2008 production will begin!
Geoff Readman Artistic Director, 2008 |
