On the day that the world watched the Transit of Mercury across the sun, here’s a much closer view of the planets.
Our solar system has arrived in York Minster, the latest addition to what is lining up to be a very spectacular production of the Mystery Plays starting later this month.
Enormous, helium filled planets will float high above the audience, bringing the universe to life before their eyes.
The nine inflatables will be attached by harness to some of the ensemble cast in the play.
Sophie Patterson, from Seattle in the United States, is community director on the York Minster Mystery Plays.
She said:
This is for the creation of Earth at the top of the show. God enters upstage and creates heaven, Earth and hell – and we have this line of the universe come through the space, fill the auditorium through the audience.
They will light up from the inside, which will be really beautiful.
With each new development, the 2016 Mystery Plays come closer to being ready for opening night on May 26.
Sophie, who is currently studying for an MA in writing, directing and performance at the University of York, said:
This is a very exciting time on any production, right before you get into tech, when you see all the elements coming in to play and you finally see the show in a more real way.
