York Mystery Plays and the YMPST

Keeping the story alive

Supporting and maintaining the community tradition of the Mystery Plays in the city of York.

The History of
York Mystery Plays

York Mystery Plays archive 1976

The York Mystery Plays are a cycle of 48 pageants (individual plays) covering biblical events from Creation to the Last Judgement.  Other Mystery Play cycles exist but York stands out as having the most complete.

Recent York Mystery
Plays Productions

Resurrection for York took place on 3 & 4 July 2021 in Resident’s Garden, Dean’s Park, York. This was a community, outdoor, production between the Trust, York Festival Trust and York Minster. It was staged on two wagons, in an enclosed area, in order to meet current national guidelines.

YMPST Mystery
Plays Productions

York Mystery Plays Waggons 2018 - The Harrowing Of Hell

The Trust staged the first of its own productions , the Entry to Jerusalem directed by Simon Tompsett , as part of the Wagon Play pageant of 2014.  In 2018, again took part in the Waggon Play cycle with the Harrowing of Hell, directed by Ben Prusiner.

Coming next: St Crux, 24 November 2023

We have a new date of Friday 24 November! So fingers crossed that all the security work at the entrance to the Shambles has finished and St Crux can function again. All you lovely people who volunteered to man the stands, work in the cafe, bake goods and donate – we need you!

Please contact us to arrange a drop-off or collection of donations.

We need: Bric-a-brac, paperbacks, DVDs. We’d welcome donations of cakes, scones, biscuits, home made jam and chutney.

Christmas is coming soon after St Crux! So we’d love some Christmas goods to sell – decorations, possible gifts, cards.  Have an early look in the loft and see what you can spare!

Please no: text books, cookery books or coffee table books, toys, clothes or electrical goods.

The York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust

YMPST was set up after the 2012 York Mystery Plays in Museum Gardens. We are a charitable incorporated organisation which exists to advance the education of the public in the medieval Mystery Plays of York.

The YMPST

York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust raising funds at St Crux

Find out more about the YMPST, its goals and what it has achieved so far.

Join the YMPST

York Mystery Plays Waggons 2018 - The Harrowing Of Hell

Discover the benefits of membership and how you can join the YMPST.

YMPST Mailing List

York Mystery Plays Supporters Trust raising funds at St Crux

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