Fonds YMP - York Mystery Plays

Identity area

Reference code

YMP

Title

York Mystery Plays

Date(s)

  • 1951-2014 (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

4 boxes

Context area

Name of creator

(Fourteenth century - Present)

Administrative history

The plays were originally performed in York from the middle of the 14th century until 1569 when they would be performed and funded by local trade guilds who would each take responsibility for one play. The end of the feast of Corpus Christi in England after the Reformation meant the plays came to an end. Performances of individual elements of the Plays started again at the beginning of the 20th century but it was not until 1951 that they were fully revived by the York Festival of Arts as part of the Festival of Britain. The plays were then initially staged every three years, later being staged every four. Due to financial and practical reasons in 1992 and 1996 the Plays were held indoor at the York Theatre Royal. The modern Guilds of York, heirs to the original Mystery Plays presenters, were formally associated with an outdoor production for the first time in 1998. In 2002 they took charge of the production themselves. The Plays have toured outside ever since.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Collection consists of photographs and slides of the plays and the buildings/sets that were used for the plays. Also includes sketch books, costume designs, and documents relating to rehearsal as well as a prompt book, newspaper cuttings about the plays, ticket, programmes and presentation box of Rev. J.S. Purves 'The York Cycle of Mystery Plays - A Complete Version', and two recordings of the 2010 and 2014 plays.

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Open

Material is available subject to the usual terms and conditions of access to Archives and Local History collections.

Conditions governing reproduction

Images are supplied for private research only at the Archivist's discretion. Please note that material may be unsuitable for copying on conservation grounds. Researchers who wish to publish material must seek copyright permission from the copyright owner.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

    Language and script notes

    Finding aids

    Allied materials area

    Existence and location of originals

    Existence and location of copies

    Related units of description

    Related descriptions

    Notes area

    Alternative identifier(s)

    legacy

    ACC 626, ACC 977, ACC 120, ACC 168, ACC 125, ACC 345

    Access points

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    Description control area

    Accession area