YESTERDAY was the Feast of Corpus Christi, the day when the Mystery Plays were traditionally performed and the day in recent times when the amalgamated production would begin its run.

It is four years since the last complete production. I am writing to ask why they are not opening this week. The question should be answered by the Church and the city council.

Last month the Archbishop of York called for a return to a sense of awe in worship and for the church to satisfy the yearning of people for things of the spirit ("Hope's mystery lesson for the Church", May 24). The Mystery Plays tell the Christian story of creation by God, the coming of Jesus, his destruction, resurrection and our final judgement.

These are huge and enduring themes that were grasped by the audiences of the medieval plays and haven't lost their relevance today.

Why aren't the churches in York involved in maintaining the plays as a literally wonderful way of saying what they offer?

The city council is another body that seems to have forgotten what it is there for. Chester can manage to produce the plays. Why cannot the council offer constructive help in the initial underwriting, logistic support and organisation to allow the creative talent and enthusiasm in this city to get to work?

For those who want to see a Mystery Play this year, the Friends of York Mystery Plays are putting on The Conspiracy. It's a story about jealous and weak leaders toadying up to the current world power to effect the destruction of a source of truth who is troubling their comfort zone. So no modern parallels there then. It is on at the Methodist Church in Monkgate between July 5 to 10.

Harold Mozley,

Blakeney Place,

York.

Updated: 10:20 Friday, June 11, 2004