WHEN God met the Devil in York yesterday not even the combined forces of Good and Evil could banish the teeming rain.

But Satan, aka actor Graeme Hawley, was convinced that by the time he takes part in the York Mystery Plays in August, the sun will finally be streaming down.

Graeme, 37, said: “It’s always glorious sunshine in York in August, isn’t it? But anyhow I’m used to this. I’ve lived in Manchester for 15 years!”

Graeme and Ferdinand Kingsley, who will play both God and Jesus Christ, were staging their first photocall in York since landing the two professional roles in the UK’s biggest outdoor theatre production of 2012 in the Museum Gardens.

Organisers stressed that if it is still raining by August, the 1,400-strong audience will be protected from the elements – even if the actors get a soaking.

Both actors spoke of their excitement at taking part in such a unique event in the extraordinary setting of the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey, working alongside hundreds of amateur actors from across the region.

“It will be a wonderful event that will encompass the whole community,” said Graeme. “It will be a unique experience for everyone.”

He said he already knew York well as his wife, actress Elianne Byrne, had performed at the Theatre Royal in productions such as the Christmas panto and also in the Railway Children at the National Railway Museum.

He said she was set to bring their children Henry, one, and Audrey, three, to York to watch him perform.

Ferdinand, 24, said his father, Scarborough-born screen and stage star Ben Kingsley, was also likely to come to York to see the plays, subject to filming commitments.

Graeme was in Britain’s top soap, Coronation Street, for four years, playing one of its most infamous villains, John Stape. But asked if Stape’s evil compared to that of Satan, he said: “I prefer to think of him as troubled!”