A Driffield woman is to play a key role in the Mystery Plays which are on at York Minster for only the second time in 700 years.
Hailing from Driffield, Shirley Williams Shirley is excited to be performing within the magnificent setting and to have been chosen to play Older Mary. Shirley has a strong background in performing arts, having taught the subject for more than 30 years in London schools and worked on education projects for theatre groups, including the National Theatre.
She returned to Yorkshire in 2002 and has been involved with teaching performing arts in Bridlington and York. Shirley is particularly fond of non-traditional forms of theatre, having been involved in Street Theatre in London.
She jumped at the chance to work on the Mystery Plays, which run from May 26 to June 30, with its strong community involvement, as she was previously involved in the 2012 York Mystery Plays, playing the Centurion at the cross.
She has also performed in other recent community theatre projects including Blood and Chocolate and In Fog and Falling Snow with York Theatre Royal.
The Mystery Plays feature one lead actor, Philip McGinley, playing the role of Jesus. Alongside Philip will be members of the Yorkshire community, including Shirley, involved as cast members and behind the scenes on everything from prop and costume making to make-up.
The 200 strong cast includes amateur performers from around the globe including professionally trained actors and actresses returning to the stage after career breaks and rising stars of the future fresh out of drama school.
The production is being developed by an award winning artistic team, including director Phillip Breen, of the Royal Shakespeare Company.