SEVERAL stars have been born at the York Mystery Plays, but the one who has sparkled most brightly ever since is Judi Dench.

In 1951, she played an angel at the first modern staging of the cycle. Even in this minor role, the teenager was described as "magnetic" by the actor playing Christ, Joseph O'Connor. By the time she made her last appearance, as the Virgin Mary in 1957, she had already been cast as Ophelia in a production of Hamlet at London's Old Vic theatre.

Today, Dame Judi is a Hollywood star, and one of Britain's busiest actors. But she retains vivid and happy memories of those open-air performances in Museum Gardens.

Today, we are delighted to report, she has lent her full backing to our campaign to save the Mystery Plays.

With such stellar support we are sure the crusade to save the plays can be successful. Who knows what young acting talent will emerge from the 2005 production?

And if Dame Judi finds herself at a loose end that summer, perhaps she might consider a Mystery Plays comeback. We can see her as a simply divine God. From damehood to deity: that is the magic of the mysteries.

Updated: 11:54 Tuesday, September 16, 2003