Work is progressing apace on the creation of hundreds of creatures for this Summer’s epic Mystery Plays, staged in the dramatic setting of York Minster for the first time in 16 years.

The plays date back to Medieval times and dramatise the greatest story ever told – from the creation of heaven and earth to the last judgement. Prop Supervisor Beckie May is leading a talented creative team of professional prop makers, supported by over 30 volunteers and local students, who are busy in the workshop creating more than 100 props for the Noah’s Ark and Creation scenes.

Beckie and the team have until early May to complete 68 animals, ranging from flamingos and elephants to dodos, beavers and fish alongside sea creatures, birds and a whale for the Creation. The team also need to create around 48 wings, 50 halos, a mask, the crown of thorns, mangers and backpacks to enable the creatures to be worn by the actors.

Materials for the elaborate creations have been sourced from right across Yorkshire including wood for staffs and walking sticks from a tree surgeon in Scarborough. Real wool fleeces from a flock of pedigree Hebridean sheep grazing in Pickering have also been donated by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

It’s the first time in 16 years and only the second time in their near 700 year history that the Mystery Plays have been performed at York Minster, following sell-out performances in 2000.

The 2016 production is being developed by an award winning artistic team, including director Phillip Breen, of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and writer Mike Poulton, who recently wrote the scripts for the RSC’s productions of Hilary Mantel’s global best-selling novels Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.yorkminster.org/mysteryplays2016, by calling 01904 623568 or in person from the York Theatre Royal’s Box Office at the De Grey Rooms in St Leonards Place, York, and at York Minster’s visitor admission desks.