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Star's voice adds a little Mystery to performance - SLIDESHOW
PATRICK Stewart might be better known as Captain Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek...
But the starship Enterprise captain is performing at Monk Bretton Priory, near Barnsley, in a very different role.
Stewart, originally from Mirfield, West Yorkshire, who took acting lessons in Birdwell, Barnsley, is providing the Voice of God in the English Mystery Plays.
The shows – which opened to record crowds – are the only performance of the traditional outdoor mystery play in the UK.
The atmospheric ruins of Monk Bretton are hosting a 200-plus cast along with lighting and sound effects.
Producer Lee Batty described the play – written by Grimethorpe-born John Kelly – as having a real "Barnsley flavour".
Lee said: "There are certain references to the town and the play was written specifically for Monk Bretton," he said.
It's a debut performance for both Stewart and Monk Bretton – the Hollywood star has never featured in an outdoor mystery play before and, until now, the English Heritage site has never been used as an outdoor theatre.
And Stewart's not the only Yorkshire star involved.
BBC Radio Sheffield's Toby Foster plays Bogoak alongside a host of region-wide acting talents and amateur performers.
But, unlike the rest of the cast, the star of the X-Men movies does not appear in person as he was too busy performing in Waiting for Godot. Instead, he pre-recorded his vocal parts in London.
The mystery plays are based on scripture stories dating back to medieval times and were known for their irreverence. As a result, many performances were moved out of the church into non-ecclesiastical locations.
But now, the plays have returned to their ecclesiastical home after the Bishop of Wakefield suggested the site to Lee.
"It's all his fault," he laughed. "Monk Bretton's a great setting. It's an English Heritage scheduled monument so we had to get scheduled monument consent – we had to apply to the secretary of state."
Director John Kelly – father of Coronation Street star Katherine Kelly, who plays Becky Grainger in the soap – said the opening night had been a great success.
John, whose other daughter Grace plays Eve in the performance, said: "It was a fantastic opening night and I'm especially proud of all those who gave debut performances at Monk Bretton Priory.
"There's a real buzz of energy and excitement in open air theatre, especially when such a large cast and crew are involved. I had every faith in them, although the same thing couldn't be said for the weather, I think my main worry was getting the show off to a dry start!
"Luckily the heavens shone down on our first night, so we must have been doing it right, let's hope we can keep it up!"
Record crowds flocked to the opening night, with ticket sales soaring.
Ruth Atkinson, administrator at the Lamproom and English Mystery Plays Theatre Box Office, said: "It's great to see so many people turn up to support the production.
The audience has travelled from far and wide to see The English Mystery Plays, we even had one chap travel down from Edinburgh.
"And just in case the weather doesn't quite go to plan, we've got a standby box of ponchos on site!"
The plays are performed until July 11.
Tickets are available from The Lamproom Theatre, Westgate, Barnsley, or by ringing the box office on 01226 321741.
Alternatively, visit www.englishmysteryplays.com for further information and a downloadable leaflet.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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