Shakespeare's Globe

The Globe Mysteries

A fresh look at The Mystery Plays as one of the most important influences on English Theatre.

A new version by
Tony Harrison

 

Creatives 

Director 
Deborah Bruce

Designer 
Jonathan Fensom

Composer 
Olly Fox  

Magic Consultant 
Richard Pinner 


Cast

Wiliam Ash
Jesus  

Joe Caffrey
Cain/ Abraham/ King 2/ Herod's son/ Knight 3/ Jacob

Phil Cumbus
Gabriel/ Judas/ Ribald

Marcus Griffiths 
Adam/ Isaac/ King 1/ Soldier 1/ Peter/ Priest 

David Hargreaves
God

Adrian Hood
3rd Shepherd/ Poor Man/ Andrew/ Knight 4/ Thomas

Paul Hunter
Lucifer/ Satan/ 2nd Shepherd/ Herod/ Blind Man/ Knight 1  

Lisa McGrillis
Eve/ Woman and Mother/ Angel/ Mary Salome/ Woman   

Rhiannon Meades
Ensemble/ Singer  

David Nellist
Abel/ King 3/ Soldier 2/Philip/Knight2/ Paul  

Matthew Pidgeon
Joseph/ Mark/ Pilate/ Beelzebub  

John Stahl
Noah/ 1st Shepherd/ Soldier 3/ John the Baptist/ John/ Malcus/Barabbas  

Ony Uhiara
Mary/ Gill/ Mak's Wife/ Woman/ Mary Magdalene

Helen Weir
Noah's Wife/ Mary Mother 


Musical Director
Phil Hopkins

Musicians
Dai Pritchard
Corrina Silvester
George Hadjineophytou
Jeff Moore

 

Now Closed

Reviews 

The Financial Times 
"Harrison’s ingenious verse switches between earthy humour and stark profundity." 
Read the article in full. 

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.

Find out more about the traditional Mystery plays and The Globe Mysteries from page to stage by reading our blog, with contributions from Assistant Directors, Costume Supervisors and more. 

Tony Harrison has just been awarded the European Literature prize 2010 as well as the inaugural Pinter prize.