THE stage is being set as the Mystery Plays return to York Minster for the first time in 16 years later this month.

Work is under way on building the stage as the Minster becomes a 1,000-seat auditorium, while make-up artists have been demonstrating how they will get the cast looking the part.

The Mystery Plays, which tell the Bible's story from creation to the last judgement, will be staged at the Minster from May 26 to June 30.

Yesterday, the production's team unveiled the partially completed stage, with sound and lighting set to be installed next week,and showed how the cast will look.

Professional theatre wig, hair and make-up artists Deb Kenton and Jules Greenan are leading a team of localvolunteers to create the on-stage appearance for more than 200 cast members.

The beards and wigs are being created along with designs for make-up ranging from Jesus and doves to realistic scars for the devils.

Deb Kenton, creative wig, hair and make-up supervisor, said: “It’s a hugely exciting opportunity to use our skills to wield the magic and help create the stunning visual spectacle that has historically accompanied these epic plays.

"It is also a fantastic challenge because an actor may be playing a role requiring them to have a beard in one scene and then be clean shaven in the next. Make-up, wigs and facial hair must all be able to be removed quickly so that actors can change characters quickly throughout the play.”

The plays date back to the 1300s when York would have been packed with people jostling to see the productions performed on pageant wagons by the city’s guilds.

It’s 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.

Make-up designs for the Mystery Plays include the Angel (left), Imogen Ruby Little, and The Devil, played by Marcus Richardson Pic: Frank Dwyer.