2016 Production Blog
Delighted to be working with composer and musician Chris Ellis, to produce some wonderful original music for this project.
http://www.shelteringtree.co.uk/chrisellis.html
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Great to be working with the The Guild of St. Stephens and St. George in Norwich on this project.
http://www.gildencraft.co.uk/site/about-the-guild/ AD 1200: Norwich, the second largest medieval city.
http://www.archaeology.co.uk/…/norwich-the-second-largest-m… Images: Current Archaeology copyright 2016 During the 11th century Norwich was the largest and most important city outside of London, and right up until the Industrial Revolution (1760 approx), Norfolk was the most densely populated county in England.
http://www.norwichblackfriars.co.uk/…/b…/medieval-norwich-2/ IMAGE: Map of Norwich in W. Cuningham, The Cosmographical Glasse, Conteinyng the Pleasant Principles of Cosmographie, Geographie, Hydrographie, or Nauigation (London, 1559). In Western Europe, as early as the 5th century, readings of biblical stories began to be accompanied by 'tableaux' and antiphonal song (religious song/music, like psalms and hymns). They were known as 'tropes'.
These liturgical readings or stories became very popular with the largely illiterate population because they were brought to life in a more accessible way. Originally the stories would have been told in Latin. As they became more popular vernacular forms emerged. Some stories given in Latin would have had a herald at the beginning who would have given a synopsis of what you were about to see. Early primitive forms started to include dialogue and dramatic action. The early writers and performers of these stories were likely to have been monks. The dramas moved from the church to the exterior churchyard and the marketplace, because of their popularity. In 1210, Pope Innocent issued an edict forbidding the clergy from acting on a public stage. This had the effect of transferring the organisation of the dramas to the town guilds. In the hands of the town guilds, various changes were made. Latin texts were replaced for the vernacular. Non-biblical passages were added, including comic scenes, and characterisation became more elaborate. Image: Copper engraving by David Gee (1793-1872) recreates a 15th century Passion Play (The Trial and Crucifixion of Christ) by the Smiths' Company of Coventry. |
Archives
September 2016
Norwich Medieval Mystery Plays are produced by Create East Community Interest Company
No 10631554 |