THE board of Chester Mystery Plays has announced the creative team behind the next production in 2013.

Peter Leslie Wild, who worked for the BBC for 15 years, will direct the plays in Chester Cathedral nave.

Matt Baker has been appointed composer and musical director and the set will be designed by Judith Croft.

Mr Wild directed more than 100 productions for radio including a 15-part dramatisation of Wuthering Heights for Women’s Hour and more than 100 episodes of The Archers.

His theatre work includes The Worcester Pilgrim Project, at Worcester Cathedral, and Penny Black Cantata with Kidderminster Choral Society and a writing projectWrites of Spring with Cheltenham Everyman Theatre.

He said: “This time around the plays, which are normally performed over two nights, will be distilled into one piece.

“I will be working closely with the writer Stephanie Dale, Matt and Judith to bring the stories to life, with a relevance for today.

“It will be tremendous fun and a lot of hard work.”

Chairman of Chester Mystery Plays Jo Sykes added: “We are delighted to have found such an experienced and well rounded artistic director. Peter is enormously personable which bodes well for his relationship with the large amateur company awaiting him in Chester!”

Matt Baker, artistic director of the city’s Theatre in the Quarter, composed the music for the 2003 and 2008 cycles of the plays which were performed in the open-air on Cathedral Green.

Delighted to make 2013 a hat-trick, he said: “Working with a new director and a new writer is an exciting prospect. Presenting the plays inside the cathedral opens up the opportunity for all the new music to be performed live.”