"Pageant Play" offers rare opportunity to celebrate medieval culture

The Music, Theatre and Dance Department at OU will present a Pageant Plan on Saturday, April 9, and Saturday, April 16.

On Saturday, April 9, and Saturday, April 16, the Music, Theatre and Dance Department of Oakland University (MTD) will offer what might literally be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for area residents to see a medieval pageant play cycle.

One of the oldest forms of drama, the pageant (or mystery) play originated in the churches of Europe, where clergy would perform parts of the biblical story as an enhancement to their liturgy. Over time, the plays were taken over by the town's craft guilds, became less serious in nature and were much anticipated both for the fun and spectacle they offered.

Featuring its own cycle of medieval English plays between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m., the event will guide audiences through a number of scenes depicting familiar stories from the Old and New Testaments.

Many ensembles within the department will contribute a scene in their style to the cycle, much in the same way as various wards of New Orleans build floats to represent their community in the Mardi Gras parade. Taking part in the MTD production will be musical theatre performers, dancers, steel band members, chorale singers, African drummers, other percussionists and more.

For those unable to enjoy the full eight-hour experience, excerpts from the cycle will be performed at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, April 13, 14 and 15, in the Varner Lab Theatre and on Wednesday, April 13, and Friday, April 15, in the Varner Studio Theatre.

Varner Hall is located on the Oakland University campus. Interactive and printable maps are available at oakland.edu/map. General admission tickets for the Saturday full-cycle performances and a medieval buffet are $32 for adults, $24 for students and $28 for seniors and Oakland University employees. Those planning to attend are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance to ensure that there is plenty of food for all. Tickets for the weekday evening excerpt productions are $13 for general admission and $7 for students.

Tickets are available at OU's Varner Box Office from 3-6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and for one hour before each performance. They can also be purchased with no service fee by calling (248) 370-3013 or by visiting starticketsplus.com. For more information, visit oakland.edu/mtd or call (248) 370-2030.