The Nativity - The Mysteries

Photograph showing a scene from 'The Nativity' in which a forklift truck raised Brian Glover’s God to the heavens to create the Universe.

The Mysteries, designed by William Dudley and directed by Bill Bryden, is a version of the medieval English Mystery plays which tells the story of the Bible from the creation to the last judgement. It was presented in three promenade productions of 'The Nativity', 'The Passion' and 'Doomsday'.

Designed by William Dudley
Directed by Bill Bryden
Associate director: Sebastian Graham Jones
Adapted by Tony Harrison
Lighting by Laurence Clayton
Music by John Tams and The Home Service

‘The Passion’ premiered at London's National Theatre in 1977, with all three plays presented there in 1985. It later transferred to the West End.

Location: Cottesloe Theatre at the National Theatre, London.

Lengths:
The Mysteries - The Passion: 1 hour 50 minutes
The Mysteries - The Nativity: 2 hours 30 minutes
The Mysteries - Doomsday: 2 hours

Photograph by Michael Mayhew
© Michael Mayhew
[Michael Mayhew Collection NT Archive (digital)]