News Release

25th June 2007

ARCHANGEL MICHAEL STARTS TREASURE HUNT

Michael Fabricant became Archangel for a day when he started the Lichfield Mysteries Treasure Hunt on Sunday 24th June. Michael was created an Archangel by the Mysteries Committee to recognise his support for the group. "Lichfield Mysteries involves the production of 26 short plays, enabling performance on a scale normally unavailable and encompasses all aspects of the arts. It is a community theatre project, taking place every three years, since 1994. It has become an important part of the cultural heritage of Lichfield and is one of the largest, free community arts events in the UK" says Michael Fabricant. "It deserves our support. The next performances take place in May 2009 and I look forward to participating in the occasion."

Polly Dixon, Chairman of the Lichfield Mysteries, says: "The plays are performed by a diverse range of amateur groups from the local community. Over 500 people perform with a further 200 involved with music, technical crew, stewarding, costuming etc. We include anyone who wishes to take part - in 2006 our youngest participant was six years old and the oldest over eighty. People who have never performed before work alongside experienced amateur performers. In 2006, over 200 people attended drama workshops, as a result of which, several plays were performed by groups of individuals coming together specifically for the Mysteries. A group of difficult to reach young people were trained in street theatre skills and performed 'The Prologue' as well as entertaining the crowds. The cycle takes thirteen hours and is performed twice over the May Day Bank Holiday. Audiences number thousands. At any given time, around 2000 people will be watching the plays over the three stages. For much of the 2006 production, the Cathedral was full to capacity - over 1000 in the audience."

The event, held on stages both in Lichfield Cathedral and in the City itself, is completely free, both for participants and audience.