TWO budding actors have spoken of their excitement after being chosen to play Adam and Eve in this summer’s York Mystery Plays.

Harry Lee, 18, and Laura Soper, 17, both of Easingwold, are among a number of amateur thespians to be selected for key roles in the outdoor spectacular, which takes place among the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey in the Museum Gardens in August.

Harry, who is currently auditioning at several drama schools, said taking on the challenge of Adam would be a major boost for his hopes of a career on the stage.

He said: “It’s a big deal, because they have been performed for hundreds and hundreds of years, and everyone in York seems to know about them.”

Laura, who is in the sixth form at Easingwold School, said: “It’s really exciting. I would have been pleased to be selected for the smallest part.”

The couple will remain clothed throughout the performance and organisers said two actors have been chosen for each major role.

There will be two casts – dubbed Potters and Carpenters – to spread the load of performing throughout all of August.

Harry will share the role of Adam with Nathan Unthank, while Laura will share Eve with Polly Sculpher. Mary will be performed by Rachel Price and Lydia Onyett, and Joseph by Paul Stonehouse and Tony Ravenhall, while Frances Simon and Lucy Campbell will share the role of the Angel Gabriel.

Only three big parts – Jesus, God and the Devil – remain to be filled, with professional actors set to be named for the roles in the next few weeks.

More than 1,000 local people have volunteered to get involved in the Mystery Plays, either on stage or behind the scenes. Each performance is set to be watched by an audience of 1,400, joined by people around the world when they are streamed online on the weekend of August 11 and 12.