People with learning disabilities, at an adult respite care centre in Chester, have been using their creative skills for a ‘Mystery’ purpose.
Users of the aptly named Arc (Abbey Respite Centre) in Abbey Square, made glove puppets in the shape of the animals which appeared in the 2018 cycle of the Chester Mystery Plays.
The animals included zebras, lions, pigs and crocodiles, and were designed by Chester Mystery Plays set and costume designer Dawn Allsopp.
They were created by users with help from Arc artist and teacher Jo Gomez.
The animal puppets appeared in a pre-show (known as a ‘Dumb Show’ in the 16th and 17th centuries) presented by young actors from the Mystery Plays’ company.
Jo Gomez commented: “This has been an amazing opportunity for all of us at the Abbey Respite Centre to make the sock puppets for the historic Chester Mystery Plays.
“Our service users have used their imagination and creativity to make a wide variety of animal puppets. They have worked so hard and are really proud of their achievements.”
One of the users, Jenny Russell who has Down’s Syndrome, played a disciple in the production and recently featured in a tv news item about the plays on Granada Reports.
Dawn Allsopp said: “It has been fabulous to get involved with an organisation like Arc and for the service users to be given a brief but then take creative control to make wonderful animals, fish, butterflies and birds using socks and gloves.
Jo added: “The new skills I have learnt from Dawn will be developed within our creative art sessions.”
The Arc service is delivered by Special Needs Care Ltd and Cheshire West and Chester Council.
The Chester Mystery Plays took place at Chester Cathedral this July and will return in 2023.
For more information, please see: www.chestermysteryplays.com
