Actor’s part in Mystery Plays

Ian Giles, 62, of Thorpe Lane, has secured the part as the man with the responsibility of crucifying Jesus, and said he was looking forward to his performance alongside the other community actors taking part.

The York Mystery plays run from August 2 to 27, and will be performed on a purpose-built stage in Museum Gardens in York, which Ian said was five times the size of York Theatre Royal’s stage.

Ian had a long career in the acting profession, firstly taking to the stage at college, then as a theatre director for 17 years in places including Newcastle, Sheffield Crucible, Melbourne Theatre Company, and in London, before teaching for more than 20 years and returning to acting 15 months ago.

He explained the origins of the Mystery Plays, which were developed among the merchant guild in the north of England in the 13th and 14th centuries, and which brought the Christian message – from Creation to the Last Judgement – to the masses in a language they could understand.

He said: “The plays are performed in colloquial tongue rather than the Latin of the 13th and 14th centuries. They were originally performed on touring pageant wagons, and were made accessible to the masses.

“The plays in August will be directed by York-based dramatist and Olivier award winner, Mike Kenny. Mike has taken the original 48 plays from the original manuscripts and adapted them and come up with his own compressed version.”

Ian (right) added: “The unique selling point of the version of the plays we are performing is that it includes the actual cruxifiction scene, which most don’t, and which is quite heavy duty and foreboding. This is a massive community project and I am so proud to be involved.”

Read the story on the Selby Times website here.