Lichfield Mysteries extravaganza hailed a success

The Lichfield Mysteries event was hailed a success after crowds were entertained by a cast of hundreds performing 24 shows.

Actors and audiences braved the chilly weather, both enjoying the presentations on Market Square and in the cathedral.

Hundreds of amateur actors from around the area performed 24 plays, starting with The Creation and culminating in the stunning Doomsday in the Cathedral.

Professional production director Mark Fitzgerald, who is the artistic director for Questors Theatre in London, encouraged the individual play directors and casts to interpret the Bible stories in their own style. The Creation was a Victorian circus, The Entry into Jerusalem a carnival and the Last Supper was a Mad Hatter's tea party.

Other directors chose to perform their stories in a more traditional style.

Music, song and dance played a big part in the 2012 Lichfield Mysteries.

Groups from local schools, churches, colleges and theatre companies were joined by casts made up of friends to bring the stories to life on Sunday. The Mysteries also welcomed performing groups from Lichfield's twin towns of Limburg in Germany and Ste Foy in France and a group from Questors Theatre who performed the Nativity.

Mysteries' chairman Ros Hallifax said: "The fine weather meant we had large audiences all day on Market Square and later in the cathedral. Judging by their response, they obviously enjoyed watching as much as we enjoyed performing. I would like to thank all of our groups, the backstage crews and helpers for making the 2012 Lichfield Mysteries a truly memorable one."