John Hall, who played God in the Millennium Mystery Plays, says York would be mad not to preserve this uplifting spectacle.

FOLLOWING the hugely successful Millennium Mystery Plays in York Minster, those of us who took part - breathless from the excitement of the theatrical experience, and charged with the spirituality derived from our involvement - wondered 'How do we follow that?'

I remember thinking privately that it would be awful if those responsible for the administration and planning of the next Mystery Plays were to be overawed by that prospect.

Surely, such fears were groundless, given the acclaimed artistic and financial success of the Millennium production!

Yet, here we are, less than 12 months away from the next cyclical production, and the doubters would have us believe the Mystery Plays are no longer worthy to be considered a viable part of the life of the city.

City of York Council's arts commissioner Peter Boardman is unknown to me, and I apologise if I do him a disservice, but I must call into question his professional judgement and artistic experience when, arguing that the plays should be replaced by the waggon versions, he claims the latter are "arguably more successful as a community event."

I have been fortunate enough to have major roles in the 1988 Museum Gardens production, the 1992 and 1996 York Theatre Royal productions, and to have played the part of God in both the Minster Millennium production and in the waggon plays.

Being in a position to give a balanced view, I can say that one should not be preferred to another. They are entirely separate and different and should remain that way.

There are many more such as me, and with similar experience, who are saddened and dumbfounded that the future of our internationally-acclaimed tradition is in jeopardy because of the present lack of entrepreneurial will.

If the Mystery Plays had run their course and become a tired, unappealing institution, I could understand those who call for their demise.

However, anyone involved with the Millennium production will know this clearly is not the case.

The plays were nationally, and internationally, acclaimed in the press and on television, and filled the Minster for every performance.

There was even a black market in ticket sales with punters queuing round the block in the hope of return sales.

The world-wide reputation of the York cycle of Mystery Plays has never been stronger.

I read with concern that Mr Boardman is a member of the Minster Mystery Plays Board and of the Board of Management of the Guilds of York Mystery Plays, and it worries me that his views, which do not reflect recent successes, may be seen to carry some weight.

It worries me even more that there may be others in a position of influence who hold the same cynical views.

We must keep waving the flag, along with the Evening Press, and let us hope those with a real passion for the Mystery Plays, and with the courage and will to carry them forward, will win the day in maintaining this proud tradition for our city.

Updated: 10:42 Tuesday, June 24, 2003