PhD thesis | Preliminary research proposal

Having explored the performance of piety in medieval York for my MA thesis, my doctoral research will expand on this by examining how and why the city’s cycle of medieval mystery plays has been revived in (and for) the present day, becoming an integral part of modern-day York’s identity and culture. I aim to identify the cultural need which has looked to revive and sustain the York play cycle for modern and local purposes, working towards a fuller understanding of the enduring attraction of the mystery plays, and their apparent resilience, or adaptability, to huge changes in culture, language and religious belief.

An important aspect of modern revivals is dealing with the cycle’s overt Christianity. In a multi-cultural, increasingly secular society, the medieval idea of ‘the plays as piety’ no longer holds true. Nor does the cycle’s medieval function as a vehicle for religious expression and a medium for working through religious and theological tensions and concerns. Why, then, do the plays continue to capture the imaginations of both directors and audiences? Modern productions of the plays typically place emphasis on the cycle’s communal and social aspect as well as its importance to York’s cultural and social heritage. Arguably, these were roles also performed by the plays in the Middle Ages. Nevertheless, the cycle’s religious heritage is undeniable; directors must find a way to balance this with the beliefs (or lack thereof) and expectations of modern audiences.

Paying particular attention to the 1951 Festival of Britain revival (the first large-scale production of the plays since the Middle Ages) and subsequent productions, consideration will also be given to the logistics of staging modern productions of the play cycle and the many decisions any director must make - which text or script should be used? Should the language be modernised or the Middle English retained? Which sections of the cycle should be included and which left out, or should a performance of the entire cycle be attempted? How can these medieval religious plays be presented in a way that makes them accessible and relatable to a modern audience? Should the plays be staged in the ‘traditional’ manner on pageant wagons, or on a fixed-place stage? To what extent should the audience be involved in the performance?

Watch this space...

How (not) to write one's first conference paper

Step 1. Write and submit abstract in blithe abandon because it is bound to be rejected by the Very Important Academics on the conference committee and so one will never have to face the terror of writing and presenting the paper resultant upon said abstract.

Step 2. Forget all about conference.

Step 3. Abstract is, to one's complete and utter surprise, accepted.

Step 4. Rejoice.

Step 5. Delight gives way to terror upon the dawning realisation that now one does have to write and present a paper in front of Very Important Academics.

Step 6. Attempt to comfort one's self with the thought that the conference is next year and so one doesn't need to start work on paper for several months yet.

Step 7. (Attempt to) forget all about conference, but with occasional guilty flashes of "what about that paper?" penetrating one's conscience.

Step 8. Attempt to comfort one's self by telling self (and others) that one is "thinking about one's paper," and as everybody knows thinking about things is half the legwork.

Step 9. One's family gently starts to enquire about status of (as yet non-existent) conference paper.

Step 10. Attempt to assure one's family, and self, that there is plenty of time yet and one shouldn't have to worry about writing a paper over Christmas.

Step 11. Realise that time is ticking inexorably onwards towards the Fateful Day.

Step 12. Panic.

Step 13. Write paper in two days flat and feel very smug.

Step 14. Realise paper is utter rubbish and feel very depressed.

Step 15. Attempt re-write of paper.

Step 16. Realise that what one wants to say does not at all match up with what one submitted in the abstract.

Step 17. Feel very depressed.

Step 18. Realise that every other presenter will be in the same position and feel vaguely cheered.

Step 19. Start work on slides.

Step 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. Work on slides.

Step 26. With trepidation and trembling, show draft of paper and slides to one's family.

Step 27. Gulp.

Step 28. Attend to feedback of family; rework paper and slides.

Step 29. Show latest draft to family.

Step 30. Attend to feedback; rework paper and slides, etc.

Step 31 - [insert as many as appropriate]. Repeat.

Step @£! Practise delivering talk orally, and realise that one sounds like a BBC presenter from the 1950s speeded up.

Step *@~!! Sternly tell one's self that one must SLOW DOWN and BREATHE.

Step ^%:+!!! Hyperventilate.

Step ~$¨6´/ !!!! Have hysterics.

Step &\|{=!!!!! Export Keynote slides to Powerpoint and play them through a PC. Realise font has changed, text has moved, and images have terrible resolution. Sternly remind one's self that one has been well brought up and is not allowed to cuss and swear.

Step ⚔⚚♾!!!!!! Attempt to learn paper by heart so one can present without recourse to one's notes in stylish, elegant and professional manner.

Step ☢⑀␢⚠︎␦!!!!!!! Nightmarish dreams about presenting paper increase exponentially in intensity.

Step β℀Ω✦⚛!!!!!!!! Go in search of the Pimm's.

Step 😱 Pray.

New year, new chapter

Conquering the Pinnacles. Climb ev'ry mountain, ford ev'ry stream, follow ev'ry rainbow, til youuuu fiiiind youuuur dreeeeam!

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, everyone!

Long time, no blog (again). For various reasons (chiefly ballet and university admissions related) December turned into a very busy month.

My PhD application was approved at the beginning of the month and my enrolment finalised on the 13th, so I am now officially a student again. Of course I am excited about starting doctorate research, but also very happy to a.) have my access to the university library restored and b.) return to being eligible for the tertiary discount on public transport. (Little things please little minds.) 

A happy Christmas present came in the form of a full PhD scholarship offered by the university through a very generous donor, which will allow me to worry about, I mean, enjoy, the content of my PhD thesis rather than how to fund it.

So the new year has got off to an exciting start. On the 9th January I will also be starting a new part-time job working at the university in the Arts Assignment Centre, and in February the Pop-up Globe opens with promises of being even bigger (metaphorically speaking; the dimensions of the theatre are the same) and better than last year. Last week we were lucky to have a sneak preview of the wardrobe and scenery departments by volunteering to help paint some of the scenery, and the call for ushers should go out soon... I look like being busier this summer than last, but am quite determined to see as many performances as possible :D

Before that, though, there is still a week of holidays to go, hopefully with good weather, sunshine, and being outside most of the day. Last Friday some of us climbed the Pinnacles (759m) and this week we are tackling the Tongariro Crossing.

I love summer...