York Waggon Plays, 2002

Mike Tyler, Artistic Director

The 2002 production offered us all an opportunity to pause and to reflect on what the plays mean to us now as a modern city and community. The production offered a reminder of the many and varied elements which combine to form the mystery play tradition.

The surviving guilds once again provided the driving force behind a production of their historic plays. The open air performance using moving pageant waggons harks back to the original spectacle of the medieval Corpus Christi day festivities.

The five stations at which the plays were performed varied from the shadow of the tranquil splendour of York Minster to the bustle of King's Square and to the oasis of the Museum Gardens. Travelling between these locations the waggons moved along York's medieval streets.

Perhaps most importantly, the performers in this recent production were drawn once again from a wide cross section of the community. Guild members were joined by church groups, community drama groups, students from city schools and drama companies from the University of York. Each of these groups is representative of the many sections of the community who have not only been involved with the plays during their long history, but who hold a stake in their present and their future as well.

This most recent production is therefore a celebration of the various traditions and interests, the people, the community, the past and present of the York Mystery Plays.

We should take time to consider whether the future of the plays is as secure as their past.

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