I NOTE that letters are beginning to appear in The Press expressing concern regarding this year’s production of the Mystery Plays.

These follow an article purporting to explain the decision to set the Plays in costumes of the 1940s and 1950s. I too was concerned.

However, a spokesperson from the Riding Lights Theatre Company was able to give me a more convincing explanation for the choice. I was reassured to hear that the text will be in the same poetic Middle English language and the Biblical characters and events will all be there to portray The Greatest Story Ever Told.

It is not easy to make clear the thinking behind the costume choice, so I hope that someone from the production team will now write to give a fuller explanation.

This could be crucial, as people are now making a decision whether or not to buy tickets. I may say that I do look forward to seeing this production and will be keen to note what impact it will have on us in the 21st century.

Jean Frost, Heworth, York.

• FURTHER to Mr Meek’s letter regarding the York Mystery Plays 2012 which appeared in The Press March 20, I am disappointed with his response to the decision to set the production in the 1950s.

As a volunteer on the production, I happily give up my one work-free day each week to the Mystery Plays and I’m very excited about what is going to be a wonderful show.

Like with most drama, there is not a right or wrong way to stage the Mystery Plays, and each generation presents them in their own style.

Having read the interview with Damian Cruden (The Press, March 16), it is clear that they gave much thought to the period it is to be set in. I for one find the 1950s easier to identify with than people dressed in sheets and sandals.

I am glad to see Mr Meek has already purchased his tickets and will therefore still be attending. I am sure the team behind the show will ensure he has a fantastic evening once he can see beyond the period it is has been set in.

James Eaglesfield, St Mary’s Avenue, Hemingbrough, Selby.

• AS IS the case with other people who have written in this week, I too am extremely disappointed at the plays being performed in 1950s dress.

The reason given, that the “issues” dealt with in the original plays are still with us today, is entirely irrelevant in my opinion.

If that was the case, why not have the actors speak 1950s English as well as dress in 1950s clothes?

The attraction of the plays today is not to talk about “issues” but to provide a visual spectacle of how the plays were delivered hundreds of years ago and the language that they used. The plays are very special to York and I believe that this gimmicky approach will destroy much of the magic and I for one will not be attending.

Mike Stillings, Westgate apartments, Leeman Road, York.