• chester 2010 Wagon Storage at Kofler farm and Studio Theatre St George campusschester 2010 Wagon Storage at The Koffler Scientific Reserve at Jokers Hill and Studio Theatre St George campuss
• chester 2010 faux walls assambled at the PLS Theatrechester 2010 faux walls assambled at the PLS Theatre
• chester 2010 tower tops fabrication at the PLS Studio Theatrechester 2010 tower tops fabrication at the PLS Studio Theatre
• chester 2010 tower tops assambled at the PLS Theatrechester 2010 tower tops assambled at the PLS Theatre
• chester 2010 skeleton of the towers at 3 stations at the Victoria campuschester 2010 skeleton of the towers at 3 stations at the Victoria campus
• chester 2010 Station 1 tower at the Victoria campuschester 2010 Station 1 tower at the Victoria campus
• chester 2010 Station 2 tower at the Victoria campuschester 2010 Station 2 tower at the Victoria campus
• chester 2010 Station 3 tower at the Victoria campuschester 2010 Station 3 tower at the Victoria campus
• chester 2010 Crucifiction wagon at the Victoria campuschester 2010 Crucifiction wagon at the Victoria campus
• chester 2010 Station 1 Crucifiction play at the Victoria campuschester 2010 Station 1 Crucifiction play at the Victoria campus
• chester 2010 Station 2 Crucifiction play at the Victoria campus bchester 2010 Station 2 Crucifiction play at the Victoria campus b
• chester 2010 Station 2 Crucifiction play at the Victoria campuschester 2010 Station 2 Crucifiction play at the Victoria campus

 

Artist Statement

In May 2010 I had an amazing opportunity to work as a carpenter on the scenic production of the Chester Cycle 2010. Working with a crew of seasoned veterans and energetic volunteers in a period of three weeks we built and installed three towers at the Victoria Campus, University of Toronto, which served as a stage and backdrop for the plays. Our second task was to restore seven wagons which served as a portable stage for different performance troupes and the sets they brought with them. Last but not least we created the set for the Graduate Centre for Study of Drama used to perform “Trial and Flagellation, The Crucifixion.”

The Chester Cycle 2010 picks up from 1572 having been banned after a Protestant preacher Christopher Goodman wrote to Queen Elizabeth I demanding that the plays be banned because in his opinion they cause ‘peril and danger to her majesty’. Until then the citizens of Chester performed their ancient Catholic cycle of Biblical plays each year at Whitsuntide starting with the Fall of Lucifer before Creation to the Last Judgment. Each episode was performed on a wagon and rolled through the city streets in a three-day celebration of the old religion.

Over the course of a weekend 300 performers from Canada and United States performed 23 plays on each of the three stations set up at the Victoria Campus, University of Toronto. It was an amazing experience where I was able to learn new skills in project management, scenic design and production while expending my understanding of the history of theater.

For more information on the Chester Cycle 2010 please Click Here.

For images of some of the other plays which took place during the cycle pleas Click Here.

Chester 2010 Production Staff

Steering Committee – Peter Cockett, Stephen Johnson, Alexandra Johnston, David Klausner,
Helen Ostovich, Linda Philips, Jennifer Roberts-Smith

Production Designer – Paul J. Stoesser

Production Manager – Julia Gaunt-Rannala

Technical Director – Teo Balcu

Wainwright – Chris Warrilow

Carpenter – Sio

Graphic Artist – Louis Schreyer Daurte

Webmaster – Diane Jakacki

Publicity – Sasha Kovacs

Symposium Assistant – Luella Massey