Calling Surlingham & all living in ElevenSays Villages

Things are beginning to happen. So, thank you to all who have come forward so far. There is still have room for more recruits, although we are not anticipating casts of thousands. Cecil B deMille may wish to eat his heart out next May, but let’s cross that bridge…!! For info about the Cycle see below.

PATRONS: We are so pleased to be able to tell you that at the time of writing, we have three patrons showing their support for the Mystery Play Cycle:
The Bishop of Norwich, Graham James
The author, Louis de Bernieres
Our own Susie Fowler-Watt

2014 DATES:   And do keep the dates for the performances free in your diaries:
Saturday 24th May, Sunday 1st June and Sunday 8th June.

ACTORS: Do you think you can act but have never tried thespian talents? If so please as soon as you can, contact Kevin Parfitt 07884 065781 or 01508 550249 or Christopher Meynell on 01508 558440

MUSICIANS: Do you play a musical instrument or do you sing?  If so please as soon as you can, contact John Glyn 01508 538372

CRAFTY? Do you feel creative? & even if you haven’t tried it before, come to the free creative workshops in Bergh Apton at the Village Hall, open to all including children with participating adults
making animal masks and flowers from plastic bottle bottoms on Saturdays 25th Jan & 15th Feb 10am to 3pm.  Just drop in for an hour if that suits. Just turn up! You will be very welcome.  Your handiwork will be used during the Plays.  If you want to know more have a word with  Pat Mlejnecky 01508 480696

WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT: After six highly successful sculpture trails, Bergh Apton is planning an exciting new enterprise in May & June 2014. Visitors will experience a new take on a Mediaeval ‘Mystery Play’, especially commissioned from Hugh Lupton. Live theatre will spring up in leafy locations in the vicinity of the church.

In Mediaeval times every city, including Norwich, had its Mystery Plays. They were rumbustious, community dramas loosely based on bible stories. In York, Chester and Coventry they attract huge crowds.

In 2014, we plan not just one but a cycle of four plays, again to be written by Lupton. Each will be performed in a different location, with the audience and cast, led by musicians, being taken on a delightful meander of exploration through woods and country. The plays are based on the ancient Legend of the Rood and will incorporate stories, current issues, local lore, and local characters being generated by the community in creative brainstorms.

The plays will be directed by David Farmer, who founded Tiebreak Theatre Company, has stagings around the world under his belt and involvement in the Shakespeare Schools Festival, UK’s largest Youth Drama Festival.

Follow us on our Facebook page created by Jenny Lovatt: https://www.facebook.com/berghaptonmysteryplays?ref=stream

Information received from Christopher Meynell