STUDENTS at York College are to design costumes for the Three Kings in this summer’s York Mystery Plays, while others will be applying actors’ make-up throughout the month-long spectacular.

Art, design and craft students were given a competition design brief for the Three Kings by the Plays’ costume designer, Anna Gooch.

She said they should be in keeping with the production’s setting in the 1940s and 1950s – the era when the Plays were first performed in the Museum Gardens.

“These character costumes lend themselves beautifully to a design competition as they can be rich in colour and flamboyant in style,” she said.

“Students entering the competition can be as creative as they wish and use their imagination to depict the individual characters.

“The costumes need to be practical for stage wear as there will be two casts and each costume will be worn by two different cast members. The costumes will also be worn in the open air so they must be adaptable and hardy.”

Helen Ventress, head of art, design and craft at the college, said the inspirational brief was fantastic for the students.

“It is a great opportunity for art, design and craft students to use their skills and be part of this massive theatrical event in York,” she said.

“The design brief is quite specific and students will have to think creatively and practically at the same time. The competition provides an excellent learning experience for them.”

The winning designs will be selected at the end of the month, and the winning students will then have the opportunity to work with the Mystery Plays’ costume team who will create the three kings costumes.

Meanwhile, media make-up students are also creating make-up designs and will be make-up artists during the Plays, which will be staged in August in the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey in the Gardens.