In 2009, Barnsley plays host to a one-of-a-kind theatrical event: the only outdoor performance of a mystery play in the UK. If you're a theatre lover looking for an apartment to rent in Barnsley, you've found a perfect location! Here's some information from The Letting Company about this unparalleled event to enjoy during your search for a flat to let in Barnsley. What is a Mystery Play? A mystery play is not a theatrical "whodunnit" with detectives, police constables and guilty criminal perpetrators. Instead, this theatrical performance has strong historical roots that reach back to the Middle Ages. Originally presented in churches, mystery plays were short educational performances. The plays portrayed Biblical events, but generally focused on the life of Christ. Originally performed by clergy until forbidden to do so by papal edict, mystery plays became the province of local guilds, who developed them into true dramas with a variety of familiar theatrical elements. Any Barnsley property agent, such as the professionals at The Letting Company, will tell you that because of its rich historical heritage, this area is a great place to find flats to rent. A Modern Take on a Classic Drama English mystery plays enjoyed a revival when they returned to the English stage during the Festival of Britain in 1951. In addition, York and Coventry have performed them regularly during the past 50 years. In 2009, the Monk Bretton Priory near Barnsley will be the site of an exclusive event: the performance of an original mystery play written by John Kelly. Kelly is the Writer in Residence at the Lamproom Theatre and his work captures both the essence and atmosphere of classic mystery plays. Kelly offered this quote: "There's something wonderful, exciting and utterly English about sitting, on a still summer's evening, and watching a couple of hundred performers pick their way through the ruins of an ancient monastery and the most towering drama known to mankind." This compelling annual event is well worth attending, especially for those seeking apartments or homes to rent in Barnsley, who want to get a sense and flavour of the area. Why not engage The Letting Company and allow us to streamline and simplify your search? Notable Cast Members and Historical Connections Featuring performances by well-known actors Patrick Stewart and Toby Foster, the play is presented by Barnsley's Secret Theatre Company. The production is particularly important to the Monk Bretton Priory, since the priory is the site where the Towneley Plays, a famous cycle of mystery plays, was written. The author, known only as the "Wakefield Master," gives the priory a significant connection to the Towneley Plays because of its location just 8 miles from the city of Wakefield. For UK theatre lovers seeking an apartment to rent in Barnsley, the performances at the Monk Bretton Priory are not to be missed.