THE BERGH APTON Mystery Play Cycle 2014 The Legend of the Rood Saturday 24 May and Sundays 1 and 8 June Patrons: The Bishop of Norwich, The Rt. Revd Graham James, Louis de Bernieres and Susie Fowler-Watt Written and Narrated by Hugh Lupton • Directed by David Farmer. Schools participating: Alpington and Bergh Apton, Thurton and Rockland St. Mary Performances of four new Mystery Plays sponsored by Bergh Apton Community Arts Trust. The Performances 1230 Bring a picnic and enjoy it in the Garden of Eden. 1330 The performance starts and finishes about 1800. Half time refreshments interval of an hour . Tickets – book early: Adults: £15.00 Children under 16: £7.50 (All tickets to be sold in advance and only 200 per performance.) Book from: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bergh-apton-cycle-of-mystery-plays-8319025429 or telephone 01508 480696 Please note the whole Cycle may not appeal to children due to its length, and uneven ground is likely to give wheelchair users access difficulties. For more details Follow us on: www.berghapton.org.uk www.facebook.com/berghaptonmysteryplays twitter @Berghapton Contact us by telephone: 01508 480696 Email: [email protected] Why ‘Mystery Plays’? They are not The 2014 Bergh Apton Cycle title is who-dun-its; the stories in this tradition The Legend of the Rood – The Oil of Mercy are easily understood so, where is the comprising 4 Plays written by acclaimed mystery? Today, a mystery is something Storyteller, Hugh Lupton. David Farmer, beyond human comprehension. the well known Director, is directing 50 Over time, the meaning has changed; performers from the communities of originating from the Latin, mysterium Alpington, Ashby St Mary, Bergh Apton, meaning an occupation. In the 1300s Bramerton, Carleton St Peter, Claxton, a trade was an individual’s mystery. Framingham Pigot, Hellington, All tradesmen belonged to a guild and, at Kirby Bedon, Rockland St Mary, Corpus Christi, each guild would perform Surlingham, Thurton, Yelverton. a play based on a story from the Bible The day starts at 12.30, with a (Bring Your connected with their trade; the Guild Own) Picnic in the Garden of Eden, the of Carpenters acted the building of setting for Play 1, at 13.30. Guiding the the Ark; the Bakers the story of the audience to the next Play at Bergh loaves and fishes; the visit of the Apton church, and to the Magi with gifts by the Goldsmiths. next in nearby woodland Norwich had its own Cycle, as did will be musical signposts, cities all over the country. It is thought ‘Pied Pipers’ & wandering that the thousand Cathedral roof minstrels. The 4th play bosses represent characters and in the Cycle will end at scenes from these plays. The only about 18.00. And if that’s Norwich Cycle record, is of the not enough, a long break for play performed by the Grocers refreshments after the 2nd play. (1534 & 1565), detailing a large 4-wheeled cart This will be a truly rural idyll, with topped by a roofed cast and audience moving seamlessly stage, crowned together to the sound of sweet music. by a gilded griffin, the Grocers’ emblem. Now Bergh Apton’s name is being added to the illustrious list, producing its own contemporary cycle. .