Mystery Play
Mystery plays and miracle plays (sometimes distinguished as two different forms, although the terms are often used interchangeably) are among the earliest formally developed plays in medieval Europe. Medieval mystery plays focused on the representation of Bible stories in churches as tableaux with accompanying antiphonal song. They developed from the 10th to the 16th century, reaching the height of their popularity in the 15th century before being rendered obsolete by the rise of professional theatre. The name derives from mystery used in its sense of miracle, but an occasionally quoted derivation is from misterium, meaning craft, a play performed by the craft guilds.
Read more about Mystery Play: Origins, English Mystery Plays, Spanish Mystery Plays, Miracle Play, Modern Revivals
Famous quotes containing the words mystery and/or play:
“A proper secrecy is the only mystery of able men; mystery is the only secrecy of weak and cunning ones.”
—Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl Chesterfield (1694–1773)
“In 1600 the specialization of games and pastimes did not extend beyond infancy; after the age of three or four it decreased and disappeared. From then on the child played the same games as the adult, either with other children or with adults. . . . Conversely, adults used to play games which today only children play.”
—Philippe Ariés (20th century)