About The Mysteries Some years ago Yorkshire poet Tony Harrison created a set of three Mystery Plays based on the medieval Chester, Wakefield, Coventry and York cycles. You may have been lucky enough to see these in production at the National Theatre. The result was pure spectacle, with sights such as Brian Glover as God the Master Builder, complete with hard hat, raised high above His creation by a fork lift truck. There’s also lots of humour – as well as carrying a serious message, the plays are really good fun – and at times rather rude! The audience is treated to elements of pantomime, slapstick and scenes clearly influenced by Monty Python! Music plays an essential part. Working alongside Harrison, John Tams and the band ‘Home Service’ produced a stunning score from sources ranging from Shaker hymns and dance tunes to Bob Dylan. Rooted in the folk tradition, their music weaves a thread through the narrative, a perfect match for the story telling tradition which produced and preserved the Mystery Plays themselves. Like the plays, the music is presented in a distinctive, contemporary style.