BRING forth the plays! Those were the words, not heard since 1569, instructing the performance of the Mystery Plays.
In a historical ceremony in York's St Sampson's Square yesterday, Lord Mayor Irene Waudby gave the commandment to seven guilds to put on the plays in the streets of York.
Coun Waudby then handed out "billets" to representatives of each of the guilds, signalling the obligation of each to perform on the feast day of Corpus Christi.
Hundreds gathered in the square to watch the ancient ceremony performed.
Ten plays will be performed, telling the biblical story from creation to judgement, on wagons hauled through the streets.
The performances, free of charge, will be on Sunday, July 7 and Sunday, July 14, beginning at noon and ending at 7pm.
Alan Appleby, who took part in the ceremony, said: "It is a privilege to be involved with the Mystery Plays.
"It is history in the making. The plays are important to York, they are the oldest passion plays in Europe."
Each play will be performed at the following stations: Dean's Park, Minster Yard, St William's College, King's Square and the Museum Gardens.
Updated: 08:52 Monday, April 08, 2002
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