Barnsley Archives celebrates iconic 1980s mystery plays

A fascinating new archive celebrating the iconic Worsbrough Mystery Plays has been made accessible by Barnsley Archives and Local Studies. These beloved plays, which garnered national acclaim throughout the 1980s and 1990s, are now being remembered and celebrated. The archive, now publicly available, contains a treasure trove of programmes, scripts, posters, background information, and numerous photographs from the productions.

Mystery plays, also known as Mystery cycles, were a staple of medieval England, with each church community developing its own set of plays. These were a welcome break from the routine of village life. In Worsbrough, the tradition was revived after a group of Worsbrough High School pupils visited York in 1976 to see their popular mystery plays. This inspired them to bring the idea back to Worsbrough, leading to the first series of plays staged in St. Mary’s Churchyard in the summer of 1977. The festival was billed as ‘A festival of Medieval mystery plays based on The Bible story from the Creation to the Crucifixion.’

The success of the 1977 festival led to the formation of a community arts group in 1980, specifically to develop and deliver the plays. Hundreds of local people became involved, and the plays were performed a further six times at Worsbrough until 1998. The plays' influence extended beyond Worsbrough, inspiring the English Mystery Plays performed at Monk Bretton Priory in 2009. Notably, Barnsley actor Shaun Dooley played the part of Jesus in 1992.

This addition to the archives is particularly significant as it coincides with the 400th anniversary of Worsbrough Mill, a symbol of the community's enduring heritage.

Cllr Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said, "The Worsbrough Mystery Plays hold a special place in the hearts of many local residents. This new archive is a wonderful testament to the creativity and community spirit that these productions embodied. We are delighted to make this rich history accessible to the public, ensuring that the legacy of the Worsbrough Mystery Plays continues to inspire future generations."

For more information about the new archive, please contact Barnsley Archives and Local Studies at 01226 773950 or by email at Archives@barnsley.gov.uk.