CHESTER Mystery Plays are turning out to be a family affair.

Three Garden Quarter families are spending weekends and evenings together in rehearsal for the historic theatrical experience, which is held every five years on the Cathedral Green.

The Manns, the Pearsons and the Joneses are honing their skills under the watchful eyes of artistic director Robin Goddard and musical director Matt Baker.

Beth Mann, 16, is the youngest of three children and this is the second time she has appeared in the plays. Five years ago she, dad Tim and brother Joe trod the boards as gawpers, devils, angels and soldiers in the first half of the plays, known as The Prophecy.

Joe is studying drama at Rose Bruford College, Kent. Eldest brother Tom is reading philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford.

Upton High School student Beth managed to convince mum Chris to join in as well.

Tim, who works for Cheshire County Council community services, said: “It’s a great opportunity to get together with old friends and hopefully make some new.”

All three are gawpers and Beth has landed the role of a mother in the Slaughter of the Innocents. She will also play the flute.

Alistair and Catherine Jones live on the same street as the Manns and have four children. Eldest Hugh, who is studying popular music at Goldsmiths College, London, is the only one who hasn’t had a mystery experience. Daughter Charlotte, a trainee teacher, played Mary in 2003. She will work with youngsters from Upton High.

Poppy, 16, and William, 12, have come back for a second go.

William, a pupil at Queen’s Park High School, is a member of Jigsaw and the group will be taking a major role in the scenes from Noah’s Ark.

Upton High School student Poppy is playing a gawper and will be singing in the main chorus.

Occupational therapist mum Catherine, who’s joined for the first time, said: “I just didn’t want to be the one left at home.”

Music attracted dad Alistair, a partner at Allington Hughes solicitors, back a second time.

He will sing bass in the 2008 production in his role as a gawper.

Around the corner live the Pearsons. While son Ieuan, 17, and dad Brian are tuning up their saxophone and cornet, mum Ronno is learning lines for her role as Eve.

Ieuan, a sixth former of Queen’s Park High School, is also working with Beth as an assistant director of Jigsaw.