Learning on ScreenChester ‘Purification and Doctors’, The
- Synopsis
- A television performance of the Chester mystery play. It tells how the aged Simeon is finally convinced by a miracle that Christ will be born of a Virgin, how he at last receives the infant Christ in the Temple and composes the ‘Nunc Dimittis’, and how twelve years later the child Christ reveals Himself to the doctors in the same Temple. The production attempts a faithful reconstruction of the pageant-waggon performance in the 1550s, drawing on contemporary Guild records for details such as the gilding of ‘Little God’s’ face, the masked angel with gold braid curls, and the playing of the women’s roles by men. The costumes are based on Biblical illustrations, books, tapestries, and stained glass of the period, and authentic music is provided by three singers.
- Language
- English
- Country
- Great Britain
- Medium
- Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 33 min.
- Year of production
- 1983
- Availability
- Sale
- Documentation
- Teacher’s notes are supplied. Copies of the text are available for sale separately.
- Uses
- Students in theatre and medieval studies.
- Subjects
- Drama
- Keywords
- medieval drama; mystery plays; performances
Credits
- Director
- Meg Twycross
- Producer
- David Blacow; Michael Bowen
- Writer
- Meg Twycross
Production Company
Distributor
- Name
Lancaster University Television
- lutv@lancaster.ac.uk
- Phone
- 01524 593984
- Fax
- 01524 594069
- Address
- Bailrigg
Lancaster
LA1 4YW - Notes
- Formerly: University of Lancaster Media Services Unit
Record Stats
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