The community cast of the historic Chester Mystery Plays were treated to a civic reception to celebrate the production’s success.

Lord Mayor of Chester, Cllr Jill Houlbrook, and Lady Mayoress Rachel Walker invited hundreds of actors, singers, children and production staff to St Mary’s Centre in Chester to enjoy a buffet supper on Tuesday, September 17.

The Lord Mayor thanked the company of volunteers for bringing the city’s medieval plays to life and described Chester as being very privileged to have this ‘wonderful gem’ in its cultural calendar.

Director Peter Leslie Wild said: “The Chester Mystery Plays was an extraordinary production produced by extraordinary people.

“It is wonderful that the company has been thanked in this way and recognised for its remarkable achievement.”

Chairman Jo Sykes said: “This year was the first time that the mystery plays had been performed in the cathedral and the first time, as far as I recall that the company has been honoured with a reception by the Lord Mayor. We are very appreciative.”

The 2013 production of the Chester Mystery was effectively the diamond anniversary celebration of modern revival of the plays. Originally written by monks at the Abbey of St Werburgh in the 14th century, the plays were banned during the Reformation. They were revived in 1951 to celebrate the Festival of Britain and have been performed in the city approximately every five years since then.

The Chester Mystery Plays will be reprised at Liverpool Cathedral in October. See page 48 of The Chronicle Guide.