A Nativity for York

Early in 2019 the Trust decided to stage an hour-long Christmas Nativity, drawing from the Plays making up the Nativity Cycle. This presented an opportunity for actors, musicians and stage crew to participate in the Christmas Festival, and for citizens and visitors to take time out of the Christmas frenzy to sit down and celebrate the story of Christmas in the heart of York.

After the success of last year’s touring production, we will be touring around York and the surrounding area, this time visiting St Mary’s Haxby, St Mary Bishophill Junior, and St Hilda’s Tang Hall, with one additional performance at All Saints North Street. Using the framing device of a convent setting, this version of the Nativity will be full of music and candlelight.

We staged a new and unique interpretation of the Nativity, dramatising events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ, from the York Cycle of Mystery Plays in November and December 2024. The hour-long show told the story in a way that contrasts with previous productions.

This was a touring production staged at three York venues:  The Tithe Barn at Nether Poppleton, St James the Deacon church hall in Acomb and St Oswalds church hall in Fulford between 29 November and 7 December 2024 – 7 performances in all. We wanted to give new audiences and potentially new cast members the chance to experience a Mystery Play in their home area while encouraging our members and supporters to join us at one of the new venues.

Paul Toy directed the play. The vision for the production is that of an underground, secret activity; clandestine performances of a play promoting a banned religious doctrine. He has taken his inspiration from the prosecution of performers from Egton in North Yorkshire in 1609. Paul writes:

“at that time the Mystery Plays were seen as promoting Catholic doctrine – unacceptable at the time – and their secret performance was discovered. So this new interpretation of a familiar story will see the Mystery Plays being performed as an underground, secret activity – players touring small, clandestine venues, performing for groups of sympathisers, always in danger, always on the lookout for the authorities.”

Photos: John Saunders and Phil Neath. Video: Jon Mills

Dedicated to promoting the York Mystery Plays in all manner of performance styles, A Nativity for York was staged again at Christmas 2022 with Alan Heaven as director, a new script and a new cast.

The 2019 production, staged at the Spurriergate Centre in the city centre, was a great success drawing an audience of over 500.

Philip Parr, a widely experienced director of theatre, opera and festivals, chiefly as artistic director of Parrabbola, created a moving and contemporary drama.  Philip utilised the cafe environment of the Spurriergate Centre to create an element of surprise and audience participation.  The cast entered with the audience, taking up seats at the cafe tables, and from there, commenced the play.

Philip created the instrumental and vocal music for the play, using the skills of the cast to create the sound.  Dave al-Bahrani Peacock stage managed the production with costumes designed by Felip Gesse, Terry Ram acted as Associate Director with production by Leonie Hertig and Simon Tompsett.

We would like to thank everyone who supported the play by attending, donating funds, notably York Common Good Trust and the Feoffees of St Michael, Spurriergate – our thanks for their generous donations.

It was a great pleasure to work with the Spurriergate Centre team on our first production and our thanks go to them for their co-operation and commitment. Grateful thanks and congratulations go to our community actors, stage crew, photographers, publicity team and front of house team who worked so hard and enthusiastically to make it all happen.

Photos: Nick Ansell and John Saunders