“N-Town Mystery Plays”: Specificity of Arrangement and Scenic Interpretation

Abstract

The article analyses “N-Town Mystery Plays” previously known as “Ludus Coventriae Cycle” - a collection of XV-century religious plays from Eastern England without exact geographical attribution. Along with traditional for the medieval English theatre biblical play cycles, “N-Town Plays” also include small independent cycles and independent plays (Virgin Mary cycle, “The Passion of Christ”, “The Repose of the Virgin”). Some of independent “N-Town Plays” are analysed and their subject and thematic originality is revealed. The author makes a suggestion about their possible scenic interpretation. The conducted research allows concluding on originality of internal structure of “N-Town Cycle”.