National Theatre/Channel 4 Mysteries

Subject: RE: National Theatre/Channel 4 Mysteries
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 18 Oct 10 - 06:02 AM

The excellent "Impossible Plays" gives a clue to why The Mysteries on video never made it to the NT shop, and why the Mysteries album was only available briefly in the eighties.

Basically the Cottesloe company of the time ceased to be supported by the NT high and mighties - read the book to find out the gory details. A similar punch up happened at Nottingham Playhouse in the 1960s.

Also I don't think Limehouse Films, who did the film, exist any more.

I too have VHS copies but at this rate will not have a DVD of Doomsday copied until....Doomsday.

Subject: RE: National Theatre/Channel 4 Mysteries
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 18 Oct 10 - 03:17 AM

Can't help with either of the main lines of enquiry (e.g. 1, I haven't got a DVD of the plays and 2, I've no idea, after 20+ years, about the clothed/unclothed debate):

But I just thought I'd mention there's lots of interesting background detail, anecdote and general context about The Mysteries and the Cottesloe Company that created them in the book 'Impossible Plays' by Jack Shepherd and Keith Dewhurst.

Someone on concertina.net tipped me off about it, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and it brought back some happy memories of The Mysteries and Lark Rise, so I'm passing the favour on ...

Subject: RE: National Theatre/Channel 4 Mysteries
From: Anne Lister
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 05:39 PM

I was at one of the performances,standing right next to Adam and Eve, and still wasn't certain if they were naked or not. There was mud involved, as I recall, which led to my confusion. But if they weren't naked they were wearing very good body suits!

Can't help with the rest of the query, though, but if you find anything out I'd probably like a copy myself.

Subject: RE: National Theatre/Channel 4 Mysteries
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 05:13 PM

Pete

my apologies - I missed your comment in June and only just found it. I never managed to get hold of this and my VHS copies continue to deteriorate to the unwatchable stage.

Ian

Subject: RE: National Theatre/Channel 4 Mysteries
From: GUEST,peterobs
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 09:22 AM

Old thread

But did anyone have any success with getting a nice fresh dvd?
I have tried to contact The National but they don't seem to care?

Such a shame I can't watch the old VHS anymore - too poor

Pete

Subject: RE: National Theatre/Channel 4 Mysteries
From: nickp
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 04:21 AM

I was going to say 'refresh' but perhaps tehat should be 'nudge' or even 'nudge, nudge'!

Subject: RE: National Theatre/Channel 4 Mysteries
From: RTim
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 09:18 AM

We (The MIll Drama Group) did a performance of this in North Oxfordshire/Banbury - in the Mill Theatre (where the Folk. Fest. is situated) for the Theatre's opening a few years ago (must be at least 15 years!) and it was great.
Our Adam and Eve were naked, and from memory I had at least 4 singing/acting parts.
We did performances of Larkrise & Candleford many years previously which were as much fun.

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: National Theatre/Channel 4 Mysteries
From: nickp
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 08:51 AM

Urmm.... what was that song called? Something like 'Adam Catched Eve...' Grin!

Subject: RE: National Theatre/Channel 4 Mysteries
From: Surreysinger
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 06:39 AM

And the musical import of that question might be.....????? :-)

Subject: RE: National Theatre/Channel 4 Mysteries
From: nickp
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 06:36 AM

From memory they certainly appeared to be.

Subject: RE: National Theatre/Channel 4 Mysteries
From: Dazbo
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 06:35 AM

Were Adam and Eve really naked or is my memory playing me false?

Subject: RE: National Theatre/Channel 4 Mysteries
From: nickp
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 04:13 AM

I can put to dvd and have done so on the two of the three I have although one - from memory the Nativity - has a few seconds sound loss during it. I did have the 3rd on vhs but can't find it.
Nick

Subject: RE: National Theatre/Channel 4 Mysteries
From: BB
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 05:36 PM

We have video copies, but not the means to copy onto either video tape or DVD. If we find someone who can, I'll let you know.

Barbara

Subject: RE: National Theatre/Channel 4 Mysteries
From: Ian Burdon
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 03:55 AM

bump!

Subject: RE: National Theatre/Channel 4 Mysteries
From: Blowzabella
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 01:43 PM

Can't help, but I remembe it and would equally love a copy (might even buy a DVD player in its honour!)

Subject: National Theatre/Channel 4 Mysteries
From: Ian Burdon
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 01:06 PM

In the early 1980s The National Theatre production of The Mysteries was filmed and broadcast in three parts on the then new Channel 4 television (in the UK). Music was by the Home Service and there was a wonderful turn as God by the late Brian Glover. At the time I recorded (most of) them on a fairly primitive VHS machine.   The tapes, now 20-odd years old are pretty worn out and I have been looking for a replacement but they do not appear to be available on DVD (or VHS).   

Can anyone help?

Cheers

Ian