How were Morality Plays staged?
Morality Plays are known for their mobility. The plays as a whole and 'Mankind' in
particular are known to have few special staging needs. The plays require no actual
'stage' other than a space amongst spectators - the 'place'. This is a long established
practice for both medieval and Tudor plays. Specific locations with the plays (such as
'Everyman's House of Salvation) were either left to the imagination or shown through
careful use of the 'place'. Occasionally a few symbolic props such as Mankind's spade were
featured. This is very versatile as Everyman can be shown entertaining his kinsmen and
approaching his grave soon after. The absence of a raised stage also encouraged unity
between the players and the audience which made the play more attractive to perform and to
go and watch.
The props mentioned in the play are a spade, a bag of grain, paper, a writing
instrument and a rosary (for Mankind). Titivillus requires a net, board and weeds whilst
Mercy calls for only a scourge. On the other hand the Vices several props including a
weapon, fetters, a dish, a plate, rope, gallows, a flute, purses, noose, stolen goods and
a pen and paper. The text makes reference to Titivillus having a large head and Mankind
wears a 'side-gown' which has been cut down to a jacket. Mercy is a 'seemly father' and
this implies he is wearing clerical dress. Many of the props listed above would be implied
rather than seen. The 7 parts required by the play can be performed by 6 actors if the
roles of Mercy and Titivillus are doubled-up.
As illustrated above Morality Plays are very versatile so they would been performed in
a variety of places. These range from inns and innyards to the halls of private houses,
this resulted in making them very popular to stage to potentially huge audiences.
'Cathedral - A Mystery Play' brings the
Morality Play up to date with it's classic plot.
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'Three Late Medieval Morality Plays - Everyman, Mankind, Mundus Et Infans' Today!
