The Mysteries at Shakespeare's Globe

Subject: RE: The Mysteries at Shakespeare's Globe
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 10 Mar 11 - 07:53 AM

Yes, but they are amazingly uncomfortable seats. They hire out cushions: get one if you can!

My wife is quite tolerant of uncomfortable seats - unlike me! She cannot stand for more than 20 minutes.

Subject: RE: The Mysteries at Shakespeare's Globe
From: greg stephens
Date: 10 Mar 11 - 07:45 AM

That should have been "drama" really, but dreama sounds even better.

Subject: RE: The Mysteries at Shakespeare's Globe
From: greg stephens
Date: 10 Mar 11 - 07:44 AM

Or come to Penkhull Mysteries(Stoke-on-Trent). On the green, by the church and pubs. Saturday July 9 this year. Now in it's seventh year,a mega community dreama proeject. It's not really for visitors, but we always welcome a few from outside who are interested.

Subject: RE: The Mysteries at Shakespeare's Globe
From: DMcG
Date: 10 Mar 11 - 07:23 AM

We have booked seats which are under cover thank goodness with, we understand, reasonable legroom.
Yes, but they are amazingly uncomfortable seats. They hire out cushions: get one if you can!

Subject: RE: The Mysteries at Shakespeare's Globe
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 10 Mar 11 - 07:16 AM

And you know that Home Service may be playing Cambridge this year???

Subject: RE: The Mysteries at Shakespeare's Globe
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 10 Mar 11 - 06:21 AM

"Pray for good weather ! Remember The Globe doesnt have a roof !! "

We have booked seats which are under cover thank goodness with, we understand, reasonable legroom.

We watched the TV broadcast version of the Nativity again a couple of weeks ago - absolute magic!! A much younger Jim Carter was in the National productions.

Subject: RE: The Mysteries at Shakespeare's Globe
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 10 Mar 11 - 03:57 AM

I remember the National Theatre's productions of the Mysteries' cycle from the 80s. Still perhaps the most wonderful experience I've ever had in the theatre. They revived it at the Cottesloe at the end of 1999. I was living in Liverpool by that time but travelled down to see it. Still marvellous, though sadly many of the cast members from the previous productions I'd seen in 1980 and 1984/5 had passed away including Brian Glover (God), Robert Stephens (Herod), Howard Goorney (Noah) and Derek Newark (Abraham). Brenda Blethyn and Dinah Stabb had originally played Mary and neither of them were in it by then either although Peter Armitage, Sue Johnston, David Bradley and Paul Copley had all joined the cast and were excellent. Linda Thompson was back singing and I had a lovely chat with her after the show. Absolute sweetheart. Doesn't say if John Tams is doing the music again.

Should be a great show - although they have a lot to live up to.

Subject: RE: The Mysteries at Shakespeare's Globe
From: Leadfingers
Date: 09 Mar 11 - 06:20 PM

Pray for good weather ! Remember The Globe doesnt have a roof !!

Subject: RE: The Mysteries at Shakespeare's Globe
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Mar 11 - 04:02 PM

"'The Mysteries' is an adaption by the poet Tony Harrison, principally based upon the Wakefield Cycle, but incorporating scenes from the York and Chester canons, first performed in 1977 at the National Theatre."

Chester Mystery Plays are based on biblical texts, from creation to the Last Judgement. and were enacted by common guildsmen and craftsmen on mounted stages that were moved around the city streets, with each company or guild performing one play.
They date back to at least the early part of the 15th century but were banned by the English Church under Queen Elizabeth I Despite this a play cycle was performed in 1568 and the cathedral paid for the stage and beer as in 1562 and were performed again, over four days, in 1575. 
The plays have been revived in Chester in modern times, and are presented in the city every five years spread over several days'

http://www.chestermysteryplays.com/

Subject: RE: The Mysteries at Shakespeare's Globe
From: GUEST,lively
Date: 09 Mar 11 - 03:45 PM

It looks glorious!

Subject: RE: The Mysteries at Shakespeare's Globe
From: Surreysinger
Date: 09 Mar 11 - 03:43 PM

If you pursue Bonzo's link ... and if you and he read the content of that link, you will see that it refers to ballad singers. From that I would deduce that singing, and thence music are almost inevitably going to be involved???

Subject: RE: The Mysteries at Shakespeare's Globe
From: RTim
Date: 09 Mar 11 - 03:24 PM

I was in a production of the Mysteries Part 1, The Nativity, by Harrison some 20 years ago in Banbury Oxfordshire. WE certainly had music within the play. I think I still have a copy of the full script. Yes - I looked up and there it is in the book rank. Published by Faber & Faber in 1985.
There are 3 parts, the other two are The Passion and Doomsday.

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: The Mysteries at Shakespeare's Globe
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 09 Mar 11 - 03:21 PM

In medieval times there were several 'cyles' of Mystery Plays. They weren't originally intended to be musical although I daresay it was possible to have a musical accompaniment. Some of them can very funny, especially the Wakefield Second Shepherds' play.

I once asked which Cycle was used by the National Theatre but no-one seemed to know. It's my guess that they used a mixture from the different Cycles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_play

Dunno if the above link will work but I just Googled and got Wikipedia.

Subject: RE: The Mysteries at Shakespeare's Globe
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Mar 11 - 03:04 PM

I would certainly think this would fit into the music section, because of the cultural impact of the mystery plays. I learned about the mystery plays back in high school, but don't remember much. Anyone care to enlighten us? Here's an excerpt from the Website Bonzo linked to:

5 August to 1 October

Beginning with the creation and ending with the last judgement, The English Mysteries introduced aspects of medieval life into theatrical representations of the Bible. With community guilds presenting relevant scenes on lavishly decorated wagons or platforms, these collections of plays were developed from the 10th Century up until just before Shakespeare's own plays were performed.

Lavish costumes, ballad singers and musicians bring a rich theatricality to Southwark this summer. Drawing on medieval traditions and inspired by the stories of the Bible, The Globe Mysteries celebrate the spirit of medieval street theatre and processional performance and take a fresh and contemporary look at The Mystery Plays as one of the most important influences on theatre.

Subject: The Mysteries at Shakespear's Globe
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 09 Mar 11 - 01:31 PM

http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/theatre/on-stage/the-globe-mysteries

More from Tony Harrison.

I don't know if there is any music - we have booked anyway!!