YORK Theatre Royal was filled yesterday, not with an audience but with the cast of this year’s Mystery Plays.

More than 600 actors and actresses attended the venue to perform a read-through of the script, and find out more about the design of the event.

This summer’s event will tell the story of God, man and woman and the struggle between good and evil, presented against the backdrop of St Mary’s Abbey, for the first time since 1988, with a 1,400-seat theatre constructed within the ancient walls.

Paul Osborne, from South Bank, is one of the actors playing Noah, and said the show would be spectacular and accessible.

“I think the language is timeless,” he said.

“The history is of some importance, but it’s a visual treat and the scale of the stage backdrop of the Abbey is like nothing I’ve ever worked on before.”

Rosy Rowley, of Holgate, is one of the actresses playing Noah’s wife, and is especially excited about the play, as her daughters Imogen, 14, Daisy, 12, Jemima, 10, and Scarlett, eight, will also appear in the show.

She said: “It’s very much a family enterprise.

“We thought we would enjoy doing something together over the summer.

“It’s been fascinating talking to the directors about how it’s going to look, and I think it’s going to be spectacular.”

Directors Damian Cruden, of York Theatre Royal, and Paul Burbridge, of Riding Lights Theatre, told the crowd their hopes for the play.