A disparate group of people gathered in Penryn last week to start the creation process of The Ordinalia, the Cornish Medieval Mystery Play cycle.

At the outset everyone was curious to learn about the play and how they might be involved. There was much hilarity as the evening progressed and everyone got stuck in, improvising, creating, and getting involved in a human Tree of Knowledge and a moveable, flexible Noah’s Ark.

Guy Watson, director, and Michelle Dickson, assistant director and designer, were on hand to assist and coerce some of the less experienced new recruits ensuring everyone had a chance to participate.

“Casting is always a tricky business,” said Michelle. “We aim to be as inclusive as possible and we’ve made some very bold casting choices, especially when it comes to our three people playing God. It is a community play and the roles have been fairly distributed to give as many people as possible a chance to perform.”

Guy added: “We had just a great time at our Ordinalia workshop. There is so much talent in Penryn. Having so many creative people in one room always produces very exciting ideas. While testing out the Noah's Ark scene, there was much laughter from the community performers hiding behind the hessian. We quickly learnt that a slightly shorter ark could avoid many a trip hazard.”

The three mystery plays that form The Ordinalia were written in Cornish, in the late fourteenth century, probably at Glasney College in Penryn, so are a significant local legacy it's felt it is especially important to recognise and celebrate them in this, the 800th year since Penryn was founded as a borough.

Although originally written in Cornish, the plays have been skilfully translated into English by Alan M Kent, but have still kept their original verse structure and rhyming pattern. Origo Mundi, the first part of the Ordinalia is to be performed on October 8 as part of the Penryn Kemeneth celebrations that will be filling the town with colourful costumes, smoke, drums and over 60 children animals boarding a 20 metre long ark.

Events that day will start with a big procession from Quay Hill and finish with a party in the big top on Glasney College Field. The events have so far been supported by both Falmouth and Exeter Universities and Penryn Town Council while a number of local businesses have sponsored parts of the day. If you or your business would like to be a part of this first Kementh celebration email penryn800@gmail.com. There is further information at penrynkementh.com and on Facebook.