This is a text-only version of an article first published on Thursday, 23 May 2019. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
A modern image of Aldermaston's nativity play
Before - a York Nativity Play in Aldermaston from the 1960s.
ALDERMASTON is celebrating the 60th consecutive year of its medieval nativity play at St Mary the Virgin Church.
In 1957 the art teacher Pat Eastop and the Revd Stanley Young decided the village needed a nativity.
Pat directed the play for the next 57 years and all of the performances are dedicated to her. The play was taken from the 14th Century York Mystery Cycle, one of the earliest transcribed scripts in the English language.
The music is sung a cappella from the ringing chamber of the church.
On performance nights the players emerge from their dressing room (the village hall), to a street with windows lit up to acknowledge the play.
The stage management team prepare the church, with teams looking after wardrobe, lighting and administration.
The whole village community makes a huge contribution to the historic play and its success.