The Poculi Ludique Societas (PLS), an affiliate of the University of Toronto Centre for Medieval Studies, recently announced its sponsorship plans for May 2010. Companies from Canada and the United States will present medieval mystery plays that originated in Chester, England in the 14th century.
History of the Chester Mystery Cycle
As services in the Roman Catholic Church were conducted in Latin, few parishioners could understand them. In Chester, England, at St. Werburgh’s Abbey, the monks prepared and performed Bible stories for the congregations.
When the plays became more extensive and elaborate, they were moved outside. In Chester, members of the influential Guilds took responsibility for the plays. With their members and craftspeople, they organized events such as those that became the Chester Mystery Plays. They include biblical texts from the story of creation to the Last Judgment.
Plays Staged on Processional Pageant Wagons
The plays were staged on open pageant wagons that went from one specific location (station) to another where audiences gathered. Not all town guilds’ presentations were as elaborate as those in Chester which had grandly decorated wagons and wonderful costumes. In some towns, guilds were not involved in the events, and wagons were not used as stages.
Nationally banned in the late 16th century, the mystery plays were last performed in Chester in 1575. They were not revived until 1951.
Medieval Festival and Conference in Toronto
For many years, full copies of manuscript texts were available, but performance texts were not. With the discovery of Protestant minister Christopher Goodman’s records of 1572 and 1575 presentations, new light has been shed on The Chester Cycle.
Using material from those records, PLS will present a recreation of the 1572 performance. With the co-operation of a variety of groups, the twenty-four episodes include text edited by Alexandra Johnston. They will have a Catholic perspective as it was during the struggles against the Protestant church of Queen Elizabeth.
The production of the famous, unique cycle plays will be presented during the Victoria Day holiday weekend at the University of Toronto. Groups of players from 20 universities and community groups will participate in the colorful enactments with decorated pageant wagons travelling from station to station on Victoria and St. Michael’s College campuses.
The three-day medieval festival will include an academic conference and a final Round Table discussion for participants.
Information about participation, volunteer opportunities or donations to Poculi Ludique Societas is available here.
Related article, Roman Coliseum Spectacles Banned by Church explains the origin of dramas staged in churches.
Source:
- English Medieval Theatre, 1400-1500 by William Tydeman, Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1986
Kathleen Airdrie - Kathleen has thirty years' freelance writing experience covering history, biographical profiles, environmental and social issues
Join the Conversation