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| Coventry’s medieval Mystery Plays. | ||
 Coventry Samba (Off the Beat N’Track) at the launch of the 2006 Mystery Plays The Belgrade Theatre has urged businesses to support its 2006 production of Coventry’s medieval Mystery Plays. The latest interpretation of this ancient tradition was launched at BBC Coventry and Warwickshire’s new studios at Priory Place in the city to a fanfare of drum beats from Coventry Samba (Off the Beat N’Track). Coventry City Council is backing the Belgrade Theatre’s production, which will be staged in Coventry Cathedral ruins between July 20 and August 6 next year, along with main sponsors Belgrade Plaza. Short films of previous Mystery Plays along with a photographic exhibition were shown to around 50 people to encourage businesses to sponsor a night of the show. Jane Hytch from the Belgrade Theatre Special Events Team said the original text had been destroyed in a fire at the Birmingham Free Reference Library but the positive aspect is that the story can be re-invented every time it is performed. She said The Millennium Mysteries and The Mysteries 2003 had been an enormous success, drawing audiences to the city from all over the world. “Coventry kid Ron Hutchinson, who has worked in Hollywood, has written the dialogue for this version which is very funny – drawing from the humour of the original remaining text – and it is directed by Barry Kyle, associate director at the Royal Shakespeare Company,” she said. “The play imagines the birth of Jesus taking place in the ruins of the Cathedral, combining the event with a surreal and carnivalesque depiction of his remarkable journey. “Our plan is to stage the plays every three years and ultimately we see Coventry ranked alongside York and other cities which have an international reputation. Coventry is on the beginning of that journey. “The cathedral ruins are a wonderful setting for the Mystery Plays and we are urging businesses to sponsor a different evening performance or one of the principle characters to help us make this the best one ever.” Kieran Leahy, of Oakmoor Deeley the developer behind the £130 million Belgrade Plaza project, said that Coventry’s cultural growth was very important to the city and it was vital that local businesses supported Coventry arts. He said: “Over 100 local people are currently being recruited through auditions to take part which helps to make it a unique project. “The Belgrade Plaza is delighted to be supporting the Mystery Plays because it is a fantastic way to celebrate our heritage and I hope as many businesses as possible will sponsor a performance to help make it a great success.” Anyone interested in sponsorship should contact the Belgrade Theatre’s Head of Fundraising Jill Mowlam on 024 7684 6722 or email jmowlam@belgrade.co.uk Performances of The Mysteries 2006 will take place at 8.30pm in Coventry Cathedral ruins from July 19 to August 5. Tickets are available from the Belgrade box office priced from £7.75 to £13 or by booking online at www.belgrade.co.uk For further media information on The Mysteries 2006 please contact either: Ray Clenshaw on T: 024 7684 6703 or E: rclenshaw@belgrade.co.uk or Reena Chander on T: 024 7684 6758 or E: rchander@belgrade.co.uk |
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