Bar Convent takes part in York Mystery Plays Festival for first time

Source: Bar Convent

This year, for the first time, The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre is excited to be taking part in the theatrical spectacle that is York Mystery Plays Festival.

Every four years, the streets of York are transformed into an immersive historic stage as part of a local tradition dating back to Medieval times. The Bar Convent are thrilled to be included in the programme of special events taking over the city which includes performances, exhibitions, talks, trails and more!

Join the Bar Convent for a special exhibition Women in the Mystery Plays (19 June- 29 August), a performance of Journey to Calvary taking place in the garden (Saturday 4 July, 2pm) and see the medieval Arma Christi scroll on display (22 June- 5 July) as part of the celebrations.

Dr Hannah Thomas said: "The discovery of the incredible rare medieval Arma Christi prayer scroll has enabled us to explore and reinterpret our medieval heritage and connections across the city.

"York Mystery Plays Festival is such a befitting partnership for us with their religious content, our medieval links, both histories intertwining with the reformation and the fact that the Arma Christi scroll depicts the Journey to Calvary.

"We are incredibly excited to showcase our collections to new audiences, to work with Diane Heaven on her new display and for people to experience our garden in a new and exciting way!"

Diane Heaven, curator of the Women in the Mystery Plays, said: "I have worked on the York Mystery Plays Festival for five cycles in various capacities. This year, I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to curate this exhibition at the Bar Convent to honour and celebrate the Women of the Mystery Plays - past and present.

"From Lucy Toulman Smith, the woman who re-discovered and then translated the medieval manuscripts, to those working on the plays today who have been generous enough to provide us with scrap books, model stages, fabrics and sketches that give us a fascinating and unique insight into the creative processes behind the plays."

Women in the Mystery Plays (19 June- 29 August) and the Arma Christi display (22 June- 5 July) is included in admission to the exhibition, Monday- Saturday 10-5, last admission 4pm. Journey to Calvary (Saturday 4 July, 2pm) is a free event.

DIARY OF EVENTS

Women in the Mystery Plays
Curated by Diane Heaven
19 June- 29 August

A fascinating exploration of women in the Mystery Plays, past and present-revealing hidden stories, voices and contributions across the years. The exhibition is also a response to the Bar Convent's medieval collections and significance as a driving force for equality both historically and in the present day.

The curator, Diane Heaven, has taken on many roles in the Mystery Plays over the years, but for 2026, she has written and adapted the music for Doomsday, designed the costumes and set, and made many of the costumes- examples of which can be seen on display at the Convent.

Included in admission to the exhibition, Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, last admission 4pm.

Arma Christi on public display
22- June- 5 July

Don't miss the opportunity to see the most spectacular Arma Christi medieval prayer scroll in the world for the last time until 2027. Of the 11 scrolls that have survived the reformation, the Bar Convent Arma Christi is the best preserved and the only example to have responses, which gives new insight into how experts previously thought the scrolls were used. This will be on display alongside the convent's fascinating medieval collection.

Included in admission to the exhibition, Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, last admission 4pm.

Summer at the Bar Convent
20 July- 5 September

In celebration of the York Mystery Plays Festival, enjoy a summer of creativity at the Bar Convent. Visit the new display Women of the Mystery Plays and take inspiration from the creatives past and present who have worked on these spectacular medieval historic plays. Find children's costume to try on, and explore the beautiful colours of the medieval Arma Christi, alongside the stunning objects throughout the exhibition, to create your own artwork. Step into our beautiful garden where you will find easels and art materials to capture the nature that surrounds you. Don't forget to visit our café with seating in the garden and a children's menu available. All ages and abilities welcome!

Admission applies to the exhibition. Easels available at no charge. Monday- Friday.

Journey to Calvary
Saturday 4 July, 2pm

The Bar Convent Garden will become a stage for Journey to Calvary: Play no. 34. Jesus must carry his cross to the place of crucifixion, in response to the Arma Christi scroll. Uniquely amongst the shows, Journey to Calvary does not include a waggon. This is because of the fundamentally processional nature of the play. This is a free play that will run for approx. 20 minutes, some seating will be provided. Food and drink can be purchased at the Bar Convent Café, discount to the exhibition is available for those who attend.

You can find out more details from the festival here: www.yorkmysteryplays.co.uk/the-2026-festival/