Chester 2010
CHESTER 2010CREATION TO JUDGEMENT - THREE DAYS - TWENTY-THREE PLAYSMay 22 1pm. May 23 1pm. May 24 8amVICTORIA UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, PWYCThis lavish three day production brings to Toronto over 20 performance troupes from across North America to present their interpretation of one of the famous Mystery Pageant plays from the city of Chester in England. The plays will be performed in procession at three stations from brilliantly decorated wagons that roll into place to present the stories of the Bible. This event of epic proportions is not to be missed.During the reign of Elizabeth I, the citizens of Chester performed their ancient Catholic cycle of Biblical plays each year at Whitsuntide. From the Fall of Lucifer before Creation to the Last Judgment, each episode rolled through the city streets in a three-day celebration of the old religion. In 1572, fearing the plays would cause "peril and danger to her majesty" in the form of a Catholic rebellion, Protestant preacher Christopher Goodman demanded they be banned. Now in 2010, we are using Goodman’s description in order to provide modern audiences with a taste of the history, magic, and magnitude of this type of performance. The performances are being held in conjunction with a symposium Drama and Religion 1555-1575: The Chester Cycle In Context.For more information visit:chester.uwaterloo.caFollow us on Facebook or on Twitter:Media Contacts: Sasha Kovacs, sasha.kovacs@utoronto.caLuella Massey, l.massey@utoronto.ca416-978-7986