Make a Donation
We need YOUR help to keep the Plays alive!
As a charity, to continue to survive the Chester Mystery Plays depend on the goodwill and generosity of the public. Wherever in the world you live, if you love what we do and would like to help ensure the future of this historic community event we would very much appreciate whatever contribution you can afford to make.
Future generations will thank you, as do we.
Gift Aid
Please tick the Gift Aid box during the checkout process.
If you are a UK taxpayer we will receive an extra 25p for every £1 that you donate, at no extra cost to you.
In the Trade?
Continue the historic links - make a contribution
If you are in the same business as one of the guilds which originally sponsored the plays (the more obscure the better!), perhaps you might like to make a donation to the same play yourself? Use the donation feature above, or just contact us to discuss things directly.
Twenty-three of the ancient company guilds survive in Chester today...
The scripts were assembled by monastic scholars at the Abbey of St Werburgh. The Antichrist plays and Balak & Balam are special to the Chester cycle. Our Lady's Assumption, a play by the Worshipful Wives of Chester (not guild members) was subsequently lost.
Records dated 1540 list 26 plays:
THE CREATION OF THE WORLD - Drapers, Hosiers
NOAH & HIS SHIP - Waterleaders, Drawers in the Dee
ABRAHAM & ISAAC - Barber Surgeons, Waxchandlers
BALAK & BALAM - Cappers, Wiredrawers, Pinners
THE NATIVITY - Wheelrights, Slaters, Tylers, Daubers, Thatchers
THE SHEPHERDS - Painters, Glaziers, Embroiderers
KING HEROD (ADORATION OF THE MAGI) - Vintners
THE THREE KINGS - Mercers, Spicers
SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS - Goldsmiths, Masons
PURIFICATION OF OUR LADY - Smiths, Forbers, Pewterers
THE TEMPTATION & WOMAN TAKEN INTO ADULTERY - Butchers
RAISING OF LAZARUS - Glovers, Parchment-makers
THE COMING OF CHRIST TO JERUSALEM - Corvisars
THE SCOURGING OF CHRIST - Bowyers, Fletchers, Stringers, Coopers, Turners
THE COMING OF ANTICHRIST - Dyers
THE CRUCIFIXION - Ironmongers, Ropers
HARROWING OF HELL - Cooks, Tapsters, Ostlers, Innkeepers
THE RESURRECTION - Skinners, Plastercard-makers, Hatters, Painters, Girdlers
CASTLE OF EMMAUS & THE APOSTLES - Saddlers
THE ASCENSION - Tailors
WHITSUNDAY MAKING OF THE CREED - Fishmongers
PROPHETS BEFORE THE DAY OF DOOM - Shermen
ANTICHRIST - Hewsters, Bellfounders
THE LAST JUDGEMENT - Weavers, Walkers
