THE 2016 Mystery Plays have now passed into history.

While I have not yet heard or read any reports as to their commercial success, rumours suggest some disappointing attendances compared with previous performances.

If correct, I feel the downbeat publicity will not have helped. Mostly this featured black adverts with a number of stark heads superimposed.

These seemed more appropriate for a dark tragedy such as Macbeth than for the life-affirming, uplifting narrative of the Mystery Plays.

A number of folks have said one of the most impressive and enjoyable parts of this year’s plays was the Noah’s Ark scene, full of light and colour, so a real missed opportunity for more attractive and effective advertising.

When I first heard the plays programme cost £9 I thought it was April 1. We complain that programmes for top shows in the West End are expensive, but they are never more than £5 or £6.

By contrast, the excellent 32-page full colour programme for Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, playing at the same time at the Theatre Royal, cost just £3.

R Hudson, Boroughbridge Road, York