Legend of the Rood

CONTEMPORARY MYSTERY PLAYS

 NOMINATED FOR NORFOLK ARTS AWARD

BISHOPS PLAY GOD!

DVD RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE ON PUBLIC SALE

A Mystery Play Cycle in leafy glades and down green lanes in deepest Norfolk. Unexpected; yes. But, enthusiastic audiences came in their droves to watch The Bergh Apton Plays. And the small Norfolk village’s effort’s have been acknowledged now with a Nomination for the 2014 Norfolk Arts Theatre Award.

The Bishop of Norwich, Graham James described the Mystery Plays in a House of Lords debate (Hansard, June 12th 2014)

“Last Sunday I was in a small Norfolk village called Bergh Apton….. Over the past three weekends more than 60 local people, including some from nearby settlements, formed the cast of a four-act modern mystery play,…….. It was an extraordinary cultural event, set in and around the parish church, drawing the community together: creative, empowering, spiritual, human, educational and entertaining. (More from Bishop Graham below)

And Susie Fowler-Watt of BBC Lookeast, said “Massive congratulations to you and everyone else involved in the Mystery Play cycle. What a fabulous event it was – we enjoyed every minute. I feel very honoured to have been a patron of such an exciting project, and I am so glad that it proved so popular with the audiences. Please pass on my thanks to the entire, talented team.”

Bergh Apton, well known for pioneering Sculpture Trails, has staged another unique rural idyll, probably not witnessed since the 15th century – or ever! From the Twelve villages of the Bramerton Group of churches around Bergh Apton, the cast of 60 or so volunteers was drawn. The actors, musicians, singers, stagehands and artists now wait with bated breath, for the announcement of the winner at Norwich Cathedral’s Hostry Festival in late October. Most of those acting had never done so before but they quickly developed into a pulsating troupe under the guiding eye of professional Director, David Farmer.

Ben Turner, from the village of Alpington, who played God and Jesus in the final Play, on learning of the Nomination, said:

“It was, from the start, a special project for all involved. And the tempo increased with each rehearsal and each Performance, especially once the audience began participating. Now, to be Nominated for a Norfolk Arts Award, shows that the audience also, recognised that something really special had been achieved.”

God was played by turn, by Liz Robinson of Bergh Apton, the Revd. Wendy Shaw from Rockland, Ben Turner and The Revd John Fenn, Methodist Superintendent, the Roman Catholic Bishop of East Anglia, Alan Hopes and the Bishop of Norwich, Graham James. They all shared the same halo.

The Audience from far and wide, were given especially created booklets of artworks; ate a picnic in the Garden of Eden; meandered through woodland glades; were part of the action; sang lustily; experienced total immersion in the Red Sea; and wept as the Cross, burst into flower.

More details of the other Nominees and the Awards Ceremony on 24th October at the Hostry Festival in Norwich Cathedral, are being issued today.

Banjo Productions today releases its DVD of the Mystery Play performances. Philip Lewis-Jones and Andy Cottam of Banjo said today “Our focus was to capture the vibrant atmosphere of these special performances as much as filming the Play itself. It has been a challenging but enormously rewarding project to be involved with.”

 

Trailer for the “Legend of the Rood” DVD – a series of 4 plays written by the renowned writer & storyteller Hugh Lupton. Based on medieval legend, the theme of lost & found runs through the plays linked to familiar episodes of the Bible. The production required 60+ actors and musicians who were selected from the local villages around Bergh Apton in Norfolk, UK.

Orders for the DVD can be placed via https://www.facebook.com/berghaptonmysteryplays

Or 01508 480696

For further information about the Bergh Apton Mystery Plays, please contact Ben Turner on 07500 229441

–

Additional Quote from the Bishop of Norwich’s speech from Hansard in a debate about English Parish Churches in the House of Lords on Thursday 12th June 2014:

Last Sunday I was in a small Norfolk village called Bergh Apton. It is a dispersed community. It has only about 300 people. Over the past three weekends more than 60 local people, including some from nearby settlements, formed the cast of a four-act modern mystery play, “The Legend of the Rood”. It was written by a Norfolk storyteller. It was full of humour and local references. It was the story of salvation with a contemporary twist. Pharaoh looked rather like Boris Johnson. Moses was based on “Citizen Smith”, who sought the liberation of the people of Tooting, which he wanted to be the promised land. I had a part. I was cast as God—typecast, I suppose. It was an extraordinary cultural event, set in and around the parish church, drawing the community together: creative, empowering, spiritual, human, educational and entertaining. It was the English parish church doing its job. Similar stories can be told everywhere.

We hear much in the media about declining congregations and the church in conflict. That narrative is much too easily accepted and fails to recognise just how fertile and creative is the English parish church. Churches are as engaged with their communities as ever, and I thank God for that.

—

We can promote your business every week on the Iceni Post!