December 2025 & January 2026 – At this busy time of year, please check our ‘Visitor Notices’ before your visit for any changes to opening hours or temporary updates to accessibility. Click here to view
DONATE
NEWCASTLE CATHEDRAL
NEWCASTLE CATHEDRAL
A BEACON OF LIGHT
Medieval Mystery Plays – ‘The Shipwright’s Tale’ and ‘The Flood’
8th January 2026 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
£10Newcastle City Guides present two Miracle/Mystery plays in Newcastle Cathedral. These were originally performed on carts in the streets. The actors were working men and their apprentices – good citizens but not usually sophisticated.
‘The Shipwright’s Tale’ is the only remaining play from the Newcastle Cycle. This will be followed by ‘The Flood’ – from the York Cycle, which the City Guides have special permission to perform. Both are lively and unusual interpretations of Biblical tales.
In ‘The Shipwright’s Tale’, the Devil is looking for a way to survive the flood, and plans to seduce Noah’s wife so he can get the secret of how to make another ark.
In ‘The Flood’, Noah has to fill the Ark with pairs of animals and his family before the deluge starts.
This event will be performed in the Nave, which is fully accessible to wheelchair users. For any enquiries regarding tickets and booking, please contact Newcastle City Guides.
