
About The Nativity 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. Turvey Mysteries were pleased to present a
community production of the first of Tony Harrison's celebrated cycle
of mystery plays, The Nativity,
on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th January 2006, in the
wonderful historical setting of All Saints' Church, Turvey, Bedfordshire.
Follow these links for details of the company
and photographs of the production.
If you're interested in knowing more about The Nativity and the various parts,
follow these links to the characters and
scenes
.