Hereford Cathedral has announced that renowned actor Sir David Suchet OBE will be providing the voice of God in their latest production, The Hereford Mysteries this October.
Rehearsals are already underway for the production which will be the final instalment in the trilogy of biblical plays written and directed by the cathedral’s Chancellor, the Revd Canon James Pacey, and will portray the Bible’s story from Genesis to Revelation in just one evening.
Sir David Suchet, the award-winning actor, best known for his portrayal of Hercule Poirot, became a Christian in 1986 after reading the Bible in a hotel room and earlier this year, Canon James spent an afternoon with Sir David recording the dialogue for him to deliver the voice of God
The Revd Canon James Pacey said,
‘It was truly an honour to be welcomed into Sir David’s home and watch him work. Not only was he a consummate professional, but he was a true gentleman and one of the kindest people I’ve had the privilege of meeting.
‘I am deeply indebted to him for his generosity in allowing us to use this recording in The Hereford Mysteries and excited to hear his voice as part of the production. I am also enormously grateful to his wife Sheila for helping set all this up!
The Hereford Mysteries will bring God’s story of hope, love, and redemption to life in a fully staged production in the nave of Hereford Cathedral on Friday 23 & Saturday 24 October.
It follows the success of The Hereford Nativity (2025) and The Hereford Passion (2026) which have been key events in the cathedral’s Year of Storytelling for the 1350th anniversary of the founding of Hereford Diocese.
The plays have all featured a community cast of people from across the diocese with several individuals being involved in all three productions.
The Revd Canon James Pacey said:
“The Hereford Mysteries has been a truly mammoth project to work on from start to finish and is an epic culmination to the year. I remain enormously grateful to all those involved – not least in bearing with the ever-changing creative process that comes with a brand-new play.”
The Very Revd Sarah Brown, Dean of Hereford, said:
“The Hereford Mysteries promises to be a spectacular conclusion to our Year of Storytelling which has been led by Canon James. It has been a joy to share God’s story with so many different people in different ways.
‘These productions have been really inspiring – I myself have even signed up to perform!”
Performances will begin at 7.30pm and tickets, which cost £10 per adult and £6 per child, are available to purchase from the cathedral website or ticket desk (01432 374 202).
The production is sponsored by The Friends of Hereford Cathedral and Hereford Cathedral Theatre Angels.
