Although many of us do love some mystery in our day to day existence, with this new age of sharing everything online, including the cereals you had for breakfast, it may be a bit tricky to bring some mysteries and magic into our lives.
Coventry is known to be a city of rich history, but little of us know that from 1392 until the 1578, the city proudly hosted Mystery Plays to the enjoyment of Kings, Queens and the people of England. Being one of the largest festivals at that time, Mystery Plays aimed to educate and entertain its viewers with plays that retold the Christian story from Creation to the dark Doomsday.
In 2010, Mystery Plays became the inspiration for Coventry’s Mysteries Festival, a new spectacle of music, colour and theatre that maintains the glorious medieval atmosphere. This festival brings people together to celebrate the multi-cultural society of today’s world. Coventry Mysteries Festival aims to continue the tradition of drama and magic while entertaining its guests through its current art and contemporary décor.
With invention, unity, mutual understanding and respect for diversity on its agenda, Coventry Mysteries Festival looks to explore our shared values and beliefs and engage its participants on a more personal level.
So, what’s on?
The Mysteries Festival takes places between Friday, the 23rd of May and Monday the 26th of May, as follows:
The 17th of May- 10:00-18:00 – Everyone, everywhere @ Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre – textile artist Debbie Smith creates a beautiful installation that symbolises the connections people make all over the world. You can watch her art grow from Saturday the 17th up until the 23rd when it will be ready to be fully admired.
The 21st of May- all day – ‘Pavement Picasso’ 3D chalk drawings @ Broadgate, by the Lady Godiva Statue – So called Pavement Picasso, Julian Beever astonishes its viewers with impressive 3D illusions. This year, he’ll recreate the river that runs underneath city’s streets, watch out and don’t step to close to the water! (‘till 26th)
The 23rd of May- all day – We have designs on your windows @ Coventry City Centre – With the help of CU students, award winning international graphic designers and illustrators create pop-up artistic encounters to brighten up your day. It’s going to be Mysterious! (‘till the 26th)
The 23rd of May- 13:00- 13:45 – Schools Junk Orchestra @ Broadgate, by the Godiva Statue – With only one week of training, The Junk Orchestra will prove that’s possible to make marvellous music with the help of hand made recycled materials! Join Junk Jam on Friday for a bit of fun!
The 23rd of May- The Institute of Impossibility- 14:15- 16:15 and 19:15- 21:15@ Draper’s Hall, Bayley Lane, CV1 5RN – take part in a spectacular show organised by award winning company LAStheatre, in collaboration with CU students for this unique opportunity to enter behind the closed doors of the Institute of Impossibility! (everyday ‘till the 25th) Ticket: £8,50/person
The 23rd of May- 19:30- Reckless sleepers. The Last Supper @ St. John the Baptist church, Fleet Street, CV1 3A- Did you ever thought what would be your last words to the world? Reckless Sleepers are answering that question by bringing to life the last meals of 13 characters, from Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe, Rasputin, Einstein and others. (+ the 24th – 19:30 and the 25th – 17:00) Ticket: £15/person
The 26th of May – all day- Dominoes- Coventry – Thousands of breezeblocks are used to create a moving sculpture that will run across the city. It’s going to be an amazing 1,5 km long Domino! And you can join and help to build it! Follow the link for more details http://www.coventrymysteries.com/
Let us know your favourite activity from Coventry’s Mysteries Festival!
Enjoy!
Roxana
