This document summarizes a production that explored parallels between Shakespeare's heroines Juliet, Ophelia, and Desdemona and representations of the Virgin Mary in mystery plays. The production interspersed scenes from Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Othello with corresponding scenes depicting the Virgin Mary from York mystery plays. It showed how the Shakespearean heroines parody aspects of the Virgin Mary, such as references to Juliet's impending marriage mirroring the Annunciation to Mary. Ophelia is shown distributing abortive flowers while a pregnant Virgin Mary looks on, parallel to Ophelia's madness. Desdemona's death is portrayed as mirroring Christ, showing how the heroines take on Christ

1. SHAKESPEARE’S THREE MARYS By the Dark Lady Players September 2009 www.darkladyplayers.com

3. 1. Romeo &Juliet: the Annunciation/Nurse’s Scene

4. Romeo & Juliet; Lady Capulet and Nurse Angelica say it is time for Juliet to get Mary-ed

5. Romeo & Juliet; Nurse has referred to Susan(nah), meaning a Lilly the symbol of the annunciation

6. 2. Hamlet ; In the York Mystery plays, Mary is sewing in her closet

7. Joseph addresses Mary (from the York Mystery plays)

8. Hamlet, an allegory for the sun god Helios, has made Ophelia pregnant through his light

9. Pregnant Virgin Mary watches Ophelia, no longer pregnant, holding her abortive flowers

10. Ophelia distributes her abortive flowers

11. Ophelia offers Mary a piece of Rose-mary, to wear with a difference

12. Mary and her Lilly ascend to Heaven; In parallel Ophelia is abut to fall off the tree

13. Virgin Mary with the Lilly

14. 3. Othello; Desdemona with Othello in the background

15. Death of Desdemona like a Christ figure

16. Photos © John Watts