Join us in 2011 for the event of the year!

Are you part of an Amateur Theatre Company, Youth Group or Musical Society?

Be part of the Theale Mystery Cycle in 2011 (Date TBA).

Simply pick a play, rehearse it and perform it with us in a massive celebration of theatre!

Below are images and information about the very first Mystery Cycle in April 2009 (written by the organiser Jonathan Shelley).

April 19^th 2009, a sunny Sunday saw the first annual Theale Green Mystery Cycle Community Drama Event. Building on the success of Christopher Lambert's funny and accessible adaptations of the medieval mystery cycle plays, Theale Green Community School staged and hosted an Easter festival with local dramatic groups each taking on one or more plays in this classic cycle.

Starting with a splendidly delivered 'Adam And Eve' from the Sainsbury's Singers, the programme of events moved on to 'Noah's Ark', 'The Crucifixion' and finally 'The Harrowing Of Hell' brought this new mini festival to it's close.

Situated on the mysterious mounds in the sports field the whole event had a sunny and happy community mood, with the audience genuinely supporting the excellent performers in all four plays. As with the way of the Medieval Mystery tradition each group of performers were able to watch and support each other, and the difference of styles in directing, staging and approach gave an enriching variety to the creative feast.

Theale Green's very own Nigel Wilson directed The Sainsbury's Singers' 'Adam and Eve' with a stylish and comic confidence, taking magical advantage of the polished skills of his cast and his player's wide range of ages and types. Nigel also played a very convincing God.

The Shining Lights Youth Theatre, led by Peter Watt, brought us their three plays with the same cast of seven, and the young performers moved effortlessly from character to character. These plays were directed by the actors themselves, with Peter's helpful talents and support, and they made great use of a range of theatrical styles and powerful images.

We very much hope that this event will grow and grow. By next year it would be excellent to involve even more local dramatic groups of all kinds, each bringing their own styles and energy to even more plays in the Mystery Cycle of ten stories. There is even talk of a 'Harrowing of Hell' barbeque, an 'Adam and Eve' fruit stall, and if health and safety allows maybe a 'Noah's Ark' paddling pool!

Interview with Jonathan Shelley on BBC Radio Berkshire: