PEOPLE are being offered the chance to celebrate Christmas in the true medieval style of mystery plays at Wantage Parish Church.

The church’s medieval nave will provide the perfect setting for the presentation by candlelight of the 14th-century Christmas scenes in the production Music and Mysteries taking place on Saturday at 7.30pm.

And, in the tradition of community plays, the drama will include some new local scenes set in Wantage and written and performed in the typical theatrical and poetic style of the time.

The plays will be accompanied by seasonal music provided by the church choir and friends.

The choir is led by musical director, Jonathan Cox, who has selected some suitably atmospheric Christmas music to set off the dramatic readings.

David Richardson, of the parish church, said: “These plays were written to be performed by and for the local community.

“It is great to have an opportunity to tell the Christmas story in this very traditional way.

“And I’m sure the candlelight will guarantee a wonderful atmosphere in our beautiful church.”

The mystery plays were among the earliest formally developed plays in medieval Europe, focusing on the representation of Bible stories in churches as tableaux with accompanying song.

First developed in the 10th century, they reached the height of their popularity in the 15th century before being rendered obsolete by the rise of professional theatre. The name is thought to derive from the sacred mysteries they portrayed.

As they increased in popularity, the plays moved out of churches and were performed by craft guilds or travelling companies of actors, and theatrical productions organised by local communities became more common in the later Middle Ages.

Tickets for Music and Mysteries are available on the door at £7 and £5 concessions.

As one of south Oxfordshire’s leading church choirs, with a strong commitment to training and developing young choristers and musicians, the choir offers a biennial choral scholarship and organ scholarship. Seasonal entertainment productions give the singers an opportunity to diversify and show their talent.

For more information about music scholarships, contact 01235 765115.