T
he Black & White Picture Place

The Chester Mystery Plays 1992

Photographs by Steve Howe

chester mystery plays 1992
Finale: Hell's Mouth

Tmysteries
he amazing final scene of the 1992 performance of the ancient Chester Mystery Play cycle: The Trinity above, surrounded by the hosts of Heaven and the gaping jaws of Hell below...

The apparition in the forefround has just roared out from under the stage, emitting smoke and noise and glowing with a weird red light- a truly awesome sight. Immediately after this, the cycle came to a joyous end for another five years as the audience and performers poured onto the Cathedral Green for an impromptu party.

On the right we see the same scene as a small detail on the American textile artist, B J Elvgren's magnificent Chester Mystery Plays Quilt. Measuring 6 by 5 feet, the quilt was purchased from the artist by the Mystery Plays Board and presented to Chester Cathedral in 1997, where it remains on permanent public exhibition.

Our history of the Chester Mysteries is currently in preparation and will be appearing here shortly. In the meantime, visit The Official Chester Mysteries Website and The Chester Mysteries on Wikipedia

The photo library at the Black & White Picture Place possesses a comprehensive photographic record of the 1992 cycle of plays, all available as beautiful handmade prints. On the following pages are a few examples...

The most recent performances of the Chester Mysteries took place 26th June to 13th July 2013. Some pictures are here.


plays before abbey gateway
The plays performed before the Abbey Gateway
mystery plays before abbey gateway

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