IN medieval days the York cycle of Mystery Plays was one of the highlights of the year for local people, whether they were taking part or watching.

When the plays were revived in the middle of the 20th Century they quickly regained their place in people's affection as their fame spread.

Now the past 50 years in the history of the plays is being celebrated in an exhibition at the city's National Centre for Early Music. The exhibition, called Illuminations: From Shadow Into Light, looks at past productions of the plays, which have taken place in the ruins of St Mary's Abbey, on the stage of the Theatre Royal, in the nave of York Minster and on wagons drawn through the streets.

It also demonstrates the range of musical styles used to enhance the plays.

Exhibition co-ordinator Delma Tomlin said: "Local history projects are always fascinating because they involve real people and their memories.

"This one is particularly interesting because the history focuses on one of England's more remarkable literary phenomena performed throughout the Middle Ages on the Feast of Corpus Christi and revived in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain."

She added: "We know that we have only interviewed a small proportion of those who have enjoyed their moment in the spotlight, but we have every expectation that many more people will come forward over the next few years to add their contribution to our website and archive."

The exhibition can be seen at the National Centre for Early Music until December 19. The centre is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. The plays website is at www.yorkmysteryplays.org.