York Mystery Plays

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Queen Elizabeth with cast members God (Frank Shelley), Satan (Robert Rietty), Christ (Brian Spink).

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Photographs : 1957 photo: Queen Elizabeth meets the cast

Item type: Photographs
Archive reference: YMP/A/3/1/1
Date/year: 1957
Description: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II meets the cast of the plays, including God (Frank Shelley), Satan (Robert Rietty), Christ (Brian Spink) and with Eileen Skaife on the right-hand side. There is also a photo of her shaking hands with Eve (Sheila Barker). 
In 1957 when the late Queen came, the bad rain prevented a performance but the Queen went back-stage in Tempest Anderson Hall instead.
Visits of the Queen to York are very interestingly described in the interview of journalist John Scott, held in the NCEM archive and available as a transcript or audio.  He describes the Household Cavalry also being in York to accompany the Queen, camping on the Knavesmire. The huge horses frighteningly filled the narrow streets.
Her Majesty's previous visit to York had been in July 1949, as Princess Elizabeth.

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