A MEDIEVAL market is set to be held in York in September to give spectators watching the Mystery Plays a fully ‘immersive’ experience.

The streets will also be full of music and musicians after the Pipe & Tabor Society decided to hold its annual meeting in the city to coincide with the performances.

The Mystery Plays, organised by the York Festival Trust with the Guilds of York, take place every four years and are set to be performed on pageant wagons on September 9 and 16, with an additional evening performance planned for September 12.

A spokeswoman said they would be performed in St Helen’s Square, St Sampson’s Square and College Green near the Minster, which would also be the perfect spot for picnics.

“We have joined forces with the Frei Compagnie society to create our first ever Medieval market which will take place in St Sampson’s Square for this year’s production, meaning spectators will be able to take part in a fully immersive experience,” she said.

There would also be a stage set up in the Museum Gardens, where the audience could experience the plays from beginning to end in an enclosed location, away from the city’s hustle and bustle.

“The University of York will also be putting on a series of lectures in the lead up to the plays,” she said.

“We’re pleased to announce that the Pipe & Tabor Society have arranged their annual meeting in York to coincide with the plays in September, meaning York will be full of music and musicians.

“The plays are of huge importance to York’s cultural heritage, and as one of the last remaining cities to continue to play homage to this tradition, York will draw in spectators from far and wide to this theatrical marvel.

“We have been working hard to put together the funding we need to make 2018 a success but as a charity our income is relatively small and we make up the balance with grants and generous donations from organisations and individuals.”

She said there were opportunities for sponsorship and individual donations by cheque payable to York Festival Trust and sent to Bedern Hall, York.