Associated Mystery Play events and information

  As summer 2008 approaches, various elements of Chester city life will come together to celebrate Chester Mystery Plays in a festival atmosphere. As links are made and events confirmed, we'll endeavour to list them here.   Mystery Plays Quilted Tapestry "To 'paint' with fabric, making art that is enriched by a strong folk character, that is a celebration of God's creation - that is my objective..."
B.J. Elvgren Don't miss this stunning work by award-winning American textile artist B.J. Elvgren. Inspired by her visit to the 1992 cycle, it depicts Bible scenes from the plays set against modern Chester landmarks and its historic black and white architecture. Ornate and richly detailed, it measures 6ft x 5ft (183cm x 153cm) and hangs permanently in Chester Cathedral. Read more here.   Mystery Plays Walk - New for 2008 and in conjunction with Chester Tourism, a guided walking tour of Chester following the original medieval route of the pageant waggons.
Duration: approximately one hour. Further details to be announced.   Mystery Plays Talk by David Mills,
Emeritus Professor of the University of Liverpool and internationally acclaimed authority on Chester Mystery Plays.
Chester venue, further details to be announced.

Prof Mills is co-editor of the standard scholarly edition of the plays and of records of drama in Cheshire, and author of numerous critical studies of the plays.

Clubs, groups, societies, schools or any organisation interested in booking a more informal talk about the plays, given by an experienced speaker from Chester Mystery Plays, should please
contact our project manager.   Mystery Exhibition - A major Chester Mystery Plays exhibition is to be mounted at the Grosvenor Museum, Grosvenor Street, Chester in summer 2008, depicting the history of the plays and how they affected the city through the ages. Open daily incl. Sundays.
Further details to be announced.   Mystery Merchandise - Hear the music, see the show in your own home! A dvd of the 2003 production is available from our shop. Also sweatshirts, T-shirts, caps, mugs, pens... a variety of quality souvenir items to remind you of Chester's very own magical mystery show.
contact our merchandising department  Mystery Plays Research - Chester Archives has produced a special study pack which includes a facsimile of The Scourging of Christ, the only original script held by the city. It also contains transcripts, key archive sources, a short history and full reading list. Priced at five pounds sterling, plus p&p. contact: chh@chester.gov.uk.   Midsummer Watch Pageant - In a spectacle that dates back to 1498, dragons, angels, unicorns, hobby horses and Chester's famous family of giants are among the stream of medieval fantasy figures that parade through the city during one magical weekend every June. One of Britain's oldest and most colourful street parades. For more info, please telephone 01244 402330.