What is, perhaps, most striking about this sequence of centuries-old plays based on episodes from the Bible – these days presented every five years to spectacular effect in the nave of Chester’s ancient gothic cathedral by hundreds of performers (including musicians), supported by hundreds more makers and backstage workers – is how intimate and human they feel, at least for much of the time.
Cain and Abel tussle between the two banks of the audience, like any pair of scrapping teenagers – until Cain deals his fratricidal blow. Mrs Noah isn’t going to get into that Ark and leave her friends behind. Joseph and Mary are a young couple in shock at the news of her pregnancy.
