
audiobook
A MYSTERY PLAY
PREFACE
SCENE I
SCENE II
SCENE III
SCENE IV
SCENE V
APPENDICES
This modest mystery play offers a reverent, sing‑filled retelling of the Nativity, structured as a series of short scenes that move from a quiet road outside Bethlehem to the humble stable where the infant Christ is laid. First performed by the girls of a convent school, the production relies on simple costumes, modest wooden props and unadorned scenery, letting the words and carols carry the drama. The opening chorus sets a tranquil tone, inviting listeners to pause and hear the ancient story told in clear, lyrical language.
The piece weaves together familiar figures—Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and a few merchants—through brief dialogues and gently rising harmonies that echo traditional Christmas carols. Stage directions are noted but unobtrusive, allowing the listener to picture a slow, deliberate simplicity rather than realistic spectacle. Ideal for a quiet holiday gathering, the play balances devotional reverence with a warm, communal spirit, making the first act a soothing entry into the timeless celebration of Christ’s birth.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (73K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Paul Marshall, Tim Lindell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2020-03-12
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1871–1914
An Anglican priest’s son who became a Roman Catholic convert, he turned questions of faith, doubt, and modern life into vivid novels and religious writing. Best known today for the dystopian novel Lord of the World, he wrote with unusual urgency for a life cut short at just 43.
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