The barriers are going up in Abbey Square as Chester prepares for a royal visit by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall today (September 12).
The royal couple are expected at Chester Cathedral later today after a visit to a ground-breaking integrated early support centre in Lache.
At the cathedral, the Duke and Duchess, who also hold the titles of the Earl and Countess of Chester, will be given a performance of an excerpt from Chester’s highly acclaimed mystery plays.
The royal couple were invited to attend the historic cycle of plays in 2013, the first time they were performed in the nave of Chester Cathedral in their 800-year history, but were unable to attend.
Ahead of their visit, which includes a busy schedule including four locations, the couple expressed a wish to meet the organisers of the plays and, if possible, watch an excerpt from the performance.
Erin Elston provided this video of the mystery plays cast in rehearsal.
A company of 17 actors from the original cast of the 2013 production, written by Stephanie Dale and directed by Peter Leslie Wild, will present a scene from the moving Crucifixion play with music by Matt Baker. Chronicle editor Michael Green described Baker’s music at the time as ‘bordering on the miraculous’.
The performance will take place in the Chapter House of Chester Cathedral where there will also be an exhibition of the history of the mystery plays, first performed in the city streets in the 14th century by the town’s guilds.
During their visit to the cathedral the royal couple will unveil a plaque to officially open the city’s new visitor attraction, Cathedral at Height.
The Earl and Countess of Chester will also be given a tour of the cathedral’s other highlights, including the building’s 14th century Quire, 16th century Consistory Court and 11th century Norman columns. They will also enjoy a performance by Chester Cathedral Choir.
Following the cathedral visit the couple will then split up so the Prince of Wales can travel to Airbus in Broughton while the Duchess heads for the Countess of Chester Hospital where she will open the Haygarth Building and the new country park.
Details of exact times of each aspect of the visit have not been released publicly by Clarence House.
