A Year of Storytelling at Hereford Cathedral launches with The Hereford Nativity

Hereford Cathedral will launch a Year of Storytelling this November bringing faith and history alive to new audiences – and its first production is the Hereford Nativity.

A Year of Storytelling at Hereford Cathedral launches with The Hereford Nativity

It is the first time the cathedral has staged the story of the birth of Jesus and follows the success of The Hereford Passion last year which saw over 30 local people involved and played to over 800 audience members.

The Hereford Nativity will be directed by the cathedral’s Chancellor, The Revd Canon James Pacey, and the story will carry a special focus on the relationship between Mary and Joseph, and the real human struggles faced by people living in ancient Judea.

The Revd Canon Chancellor James Pacey said:

“I cannot wait to bring this production to life in the cathedral nave this month. 

“Whilst this is the nativity story we are all familiar with, it is told from a completely different perspective which will give people an opportunity to stop and reflect. 

“Focusing on the people in the nativity, and the hardships that they faced, makes the story much more relatable and hopefully appealing to both Christians and non-Christians alike.”

The Hereford Nativity sees the launch of the Year of Storytelling at Hereford Cathedral.

This initiative will focus on sharing God’s story for new audiences with theatrical productions, major exhibitions and lectures and will mark the 1350th anniversary of the foundation of the diocese and runs from November 2025 until Advent 2026.

A key element of the Year will be three large productions directed by James following his sell-out Hereford Passion, starting with The Hereford Nativity (26 & 27 November).

In Lent, The Hereford Passion will return to the Cathedral, and the final production of the series will be The Hereford Mysteries, a play which tells the Bible story in its entirety, condensing Old and New Testaments. It is their most ambitious production so far and will take place at the cathedral in October 2026.

The Revd Canon James Pacey said:

“2026 marks 1350 years since the foundation of the Diocese of Hereford – a remarkable milestone that invites both celebration and reflection. 

“As the mother church of the diocese, the Cathedral seeks not only to honour our shared story, but to tell it afresh: to explore where our lives and God’s great story meet. 

“I’m really looking forward to taking on the role of Storyteller this year and helping to bring God’s story to life in different and exciting ways,” he added.

As part of the Year of Storytelling, The Hereford Gospels, one of the cathedral’s greatest treasures, will go on display from next April in the Mappa Mundi & Chained Library Museum.

Alongside the exhibition, the retired Bishop of Huntingdon, the Rt Revd David Thomson will lead a project entitled ‘The Gospels for Today’ which will produce a Hereford Gospels for the current day featuring artworks produced by individuals from across the community.

Throughout the year there will also be a programme of lectures and study days.

The Hereford Nativity: Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 November

Photos :  Caroline Potter

Hereford Cathedral gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Friends of Hereford Cathedral for making this production possible.