THE roles of God and Jesus in the York Mystery Plays 2012 will be played by the same actor, although the identity of the professional performer charged with that challenge remains a mystery.

“They will be performed by one actor, as we are sticking to the concept of the God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit being one,” said co-director Damian Cruden, announcing the break with tradition of separate actors for these pivotal roles in the outdoor production in the York Museum Gardens.

Although amateur roles are in place for the two casts of 250, negotiations are continuing to secure professional actors for the dual role of God and Jesus and for the Devil.

Should you be wondering how one actor can appear as both God and Jesus in York playwright Mike Kenny’s new adaptation, Mr Cruden has the answer: “The only section of the script in which God and Jesus talk directly to each other has now been cut by Mike, so there is never a moment where they would be on stage together.”

Co-producers York Theatre Royal and Riding Lights Theatre Company are looking for a younger man to fill God and Jesus’s shoes. “We’re not presuming that God has to be an older figure with a big beard, but it’s much more about being a creative spirit that is potent, energetic and dynamic,” said Mr Cruden.

“When God becomes Jesus, it is important for the conversion to be very real and very clear, as Mary says she has God within her.

“That strengthens the narrative flow of the story because the perspective we have taken is that God’s need to engage with his troubled creation is what brings him to earth in the form of Jesus.”

The announcement of the God and Jesus double act follows on from the decision to stage and clothe the Plays as if the company were performing in 1951, the year they were revived for the York Festival of the Arts as part of the Festival of Britain, having been suppressed in 1569.

The 2012 York Mystery Plays will run from August 2 to 27.