Editing York (section)

==Culture==
{{see also|Roses rivalry}}

The city is part of the UNESCO [[Creative Cities Network]] as a city of ''Media Arts''. An unsuccessful 2010 bid by York city council and a number of heritage organisations to make a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] indirectly led to the city making a successful bid for its title.<ref name="BBC WHS 1">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10291260|title=York submits bid for World Heritage status|work=BBC News|date=11 June 2010|access-date=2 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925133708/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10291260|archive-date=25 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BBC WHS 2">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-12811652|title=York World Heritage Site bid fails|work=BBC News|date=22 March 2011|access-date=2 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016054044/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-12811652|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="YorksPost MediaCity">{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/general-news/city-bids-for-unesco-media-arts-recognition-1-6260240|title=City bids for Unesco Media Arts recognition|work=Yorkshire Post|date=22 November 2013|access-date=2 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605053358/http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/general-news/city-bids-for-unesco-media-arts-recognition-1-6260240|archive-date=5 June 2014|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web|title=York celebrates securing UNESCO City of Media Arts accolade|url=http://www.unesco.org.uk/york_celebrates_securing_unesco_city_of_media_arts_accolade|website=UNESCO|publisher=UK National Commission for UNESCO|access-date=15 May 2015|date=1 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512213954/http://www.unesco.org.uk/york_celebrates_securing_unesco_city_of_media_arts_accolade|archive-date=12 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Theatre===
[[File:Théâtre Royal York 1.jpg|thumb|York Theatre Royal|200x200px]]

The [[York Theatre Royal|Theatre Royal]], which was established in 1744, produces an annual [[pantomime]] which attracts loyal audiences from around the country. The theatre's veteran star, [[Berwick Kaler]], often played the [[pantomime dame|dame]], before he retired from acting in the pantomime in 2019,<ref>{{cite web|title="If the theatre needs me, I'll be back like a shot," says departing dame Berwick|url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/17405356.theatre-needs-back-like-shot-says-departing-dame-berwick/|access-date=25 January 2022|website=York Press|date=3 February 2019 |archive-date=25 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125133048/https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/17405356.theatre-needs-back-like-shot-says-departing-dame-berwick/|url-status=live}}</ref> and officially parted ways with the theatre after the so-called "Panto Wars".<ref>{{cite web|date=12 January 2020|title=Axed after 41 years: 'Devastated' panto stars told they won't be back at York Theatre Royal|url=https://yorkmix.com/axed-after-41-years-devastated-panto-stars-told-they-wont-be-back-at-york-theatre-royal/|access-date=25 January 2022|website=YorkMix|archive-date=25 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125113131/https://yorkmix.com/axed-after-41-years-devastated-panto-stars-told-they-wont-be-back-at-york-theatre-royal/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Theatre Royal continues to produce an annual pantomime without Kaler, who came out of retirement in 2021 to star in a new panto at The [[Grand Opera House, York|Grand Opera House]].<ref>{{cite web|date=10 January 2022|title=This is what Berwick Kaler told the audience at the last night of the panto|url=https://yorkmix.com/read-berwick-kalers-message-to-panto-audience-after-covid-forced-him-to-miss-the-final-night/|access-date=25 January 2022|website=YorkMix|archive-date=24 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124221128/https://yorkmix.com/read-berwick-kalers-message-to-panto-audience-after-covid-forced-him-to-miss-the-final-night/|url-status=live}}</ref> Both the Grand Opera House and Joseph Rowntree Theatre also offer a variety of productions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grandoperahouseyork.org.uk/whatson.asp?venueid=94 |title=What's on Grand Opera House York |publisher=Grand Opera House York |access-date=15 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302100216/http://grandoperahouseyork.org.uk/whatson.asp?VenueID=94 |archive-date=2 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://jrtheatre.co.uk/about/ |title=About Joseph Rowntree Theatre |publisher=Joseph Rowntree Theatre Limited |access-date=15 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302135253/http://jrtheatre.co.uk/about/ |archive-date=2 March 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The city is home to the [[Riding Lights Theatre Company]], which as well as operating a busy national touring department, also operates a busy youth theatre and educational departments. York is also home to a number of amateur dramatic groups.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ridinglights.org/aboutus/ |title=About Riding Lights |publisher=Riding Lights Theatre Company |access-date=15 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090702101045/http://www.ridinglights.org/aboutus/ |archive-date=2 July 2009}}</ref> The Department of Theatre, Film and Television and Student Societies of the University of York put on public drama performances.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/tft/ |title=Department of Theatre, Film and Television – The University of York |publisher=Department of Theatre, Film and Television, University of York |access-date=15 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419181934/http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/tft/ |archive-date=19 April 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:York Opera.jpg|thumb|Interior of York's Grand Opera House|200x200px]]

The [[York Mystery Plays]] are performed in public at intervals, using texts based on the original medieval plays of this type that were performed by the guilds – often with specific connections to the subject matter of each play. (For instance the Shipwrights' Play is the ''Building of Noah's Ark'' and the fish-sellers and mariners the ''Landing of Noah's Ark'').<ref>J S Purvis, ''The York Cycle of Mystery Plays,'' London S.P.C.K. 1957 repr.1962</ref> The York Cycle of Mystery Plays or Pageants is the most complete in England. Originally performed from wagons at various locations around the city from the 14th century until 1570, they were revived in 1951 during the [[Festival of Britain]], when York was one of the cities with a regional festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkmysteryplays.org/|title=NCEM Archive|access-date=26 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701212456/http://www.yorkmysteryplays.org/|archive-date=1 July 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> They became part of the York City Festival every three years and later four years. They were mostly produced in a temporary open-air theatre within the ruins of St Mary's Abbey, using some professional but mostly amateur actors. Lead actors have included [[Christopher Timothy]] and [[Robson Green]] (in the role of Christ) and Dame [[Judi Dench]] as a school girl, in 1951, 1954 and 1957. (She remains a Patron of the plays). The cycle was presented in the Theatre Royal in 1992 and 1996, within York Minster in 2000 and in 2002, 2006 and 2010 by Guild groups from wagons in the squares, in the [[Dean's Park]], or at the Eye of York.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yorkmysteryplays.co.uk/|title=Guilds of York|access-date=26 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229062617/http://www.yorkmysteryplays.co.uk/|archive-date=29 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> They go around the streets, recreating the original productions. In 2012, the York Mystery Plays were performed between 2 and 27 August at [[St Mary's Abbey, York|St Mary's Abbey]] in the [[York Museum Gardens]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yorkmysteryplays-2012.com/ |title=York Mystery Plays 2012 |access-date=13 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315001438/http://www.yorkmysteryplays-2012.com/ |archive-date=15 March 2012}}</ref>

===Music===
The [[Academy of St Olave's]], a [[chamber orchestra]] which gives concerts in [[St Olave's Church, York|St Olave's Church, Marygate]], is one of the music groups that perform regularly in York.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.academyofstolaves.org.uk/ |title=Academy of St. Olave's Orchestra – Welcome |publisher=Academy of St Olave's |year=2008 |access-date=17 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129072041/http://www.academyofstolaves.org.uk/ |archive-date=29 November 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> A former church, [[Medieval churches of York#St Margaret, Walmgate|St Margaret's, Walmgate]], is the [[National Centre for Early Music]], which hosts concerts, broadcasts, competitions and events including the [[York Early Music Festival]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.ncem.co.uk/ |title=The National Centre for Early Music, York: Welcome |publisher=The National Centre for Early Music |access-date=26 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106082353/http://www.ncem.co.uk/
|archive-date=6 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncem.co.uk/yemf.shtml |title=York Early Music Festival: Overview |publisher=The National Centre for Early Music |access-date=26 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629125348/http://www.ncem.co.uk/yemf.shtml |archive-date=29 June 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Students, staff and visiting artists of [[York St John University]] music department regularly perform lunchtime concerts in the university chapel. The staff and students of the [[University of York]] also perform in the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://music.york.ac.uk/concerts/newconcerts/ |title=University of York Concerts |publisher=University of York |access-date=17 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430123222/http://music.york.ac.uk/concerts/newconcerts/|archive-date=30 April 2009}}</ref>

===Food and drink===
Each September since 1997, York has held an annual Festival of Food and Drink. The aim of the festival is to spotlight food culture in York and North Yorkshire by promoting local food production. The Festival attracts up to 150,000 visitors over 10 days from all over the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yorkfoodfestival.com/AboutUs.htm |title=York Festival of Food and Drink – Who we are and what we do |publisher=York Food Festival Ltd |access-date=15 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091024053931/http://www.yorkfoodfestival.com/AboutUs.htm |archive-date=24 October 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Assize of Ale is an annual event in the city where people in medieval costume take part in a [[pub crawl]] to raise money for local charities. It has its origins in the 13th century, when an [[Assize of Bread and Ale]] was used to regulate the quality of goods. The current version was resurrected in 1990/91 by the then Sheriff of York, Peter Brown, and is led by the Guild of Scriveners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8329854.Sheriff_of_York_to_test_York_s_beers_in_traditional_Assize_of_Ale/|title=Sheriff of York to test York's beers in traditional Assize of Ale|work=York Press|date=13 August 2010|access-date=30 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915050011/http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8329854.Sheriff_of_York_to_test_York_s_beers_in_traditional_Assize_of_Ale/|archive-date=15 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:York ham.jpg|thumb|York ham|200x200px]]

The Knavesmire, home of York Racecourse, plays host to Yorkshire's largest beer festival every September run by York CAMRA – York Beer & Cider Festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkbeerfestival.org.uk|title=York Beer & Cider Festival is back and in a new exciting location|publisher=York Beer & Cider Festival|access-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815180107/http://www.yorkbeerfestival.org.uk/|archive-date=15 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is housed in a marquee opposite the grandstand of the racecourse in the enclosure and in 2016 offered over 450 real ales and over 100 ciders.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/14637425.Tickets_go_on_sale_for_York_Beer_and_Cider_Festival/?ref=mrb&lp=10|title=Tickets go on sale for York Beer and Cider Festival|work=The Press|date=23 July 2016|access-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923083635/http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/14637425.Tickets_go_on_sale_for_York_Beer_and_Cider_Festival/?ref=mrb&lp=10|archive-date=23 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
A product claimed to be local is York ham,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.information-britain.co.uk/food/foodlegends/York%20Ham/|title=Food Legends of the United Kingdom: York Ham|publisher=Information Britain|access-date=11 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613143953/http://www.information-britain.co.uk/food/foodlegends/York%20Ham/|archive-date=13 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> a mild-flavoured [[ham]] with delicate pink colouring. It is traditionally served with [[Madeira wine#Uses|Madeira Sauce]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/blham.htm|title=Home Cooking – Ham Varieties and Terminology|publisher=The New York Times Company|work=About.com|date=16 September 2008|access-date=5 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006223953/http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/blham.htm|archive-date=6 October 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.recipetips.com/search.asp?index=recipes&querytext=york+ham
|title=Recipe Favourites York ham and other recipes related to York ham|publisher=Recipe Tips|access-date=5 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113102746/http://www.recipetips.com/search.asp?index=recipes&querytext=york+ham|archive-date=13 January 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> The ham has been described as a lightly smoked, dry-cured ham that is saltier but milder in flavour than other European dry-cured hams.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.foodsubs.com/MeatcureHams.html|title=Cook's Thesaurus: Ham|publisher=Food Subs|first=Lori|last=Alden|access-date=5 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016063903/http://www.foodsubs.com/MeatcureHams.html|archive-date=16 October 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> Folklore has it that the oak construction for York Minster provided the sawdust for smoking the ham.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.countrylife.co.uk/food-drink/hooray-for-festive-ham-31597|title=Hooray for Festive Ham|website=[[Country Life (magazine)|Country Life]]|date=25 November 2008|access-date=23 June 2021|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022041012/https://www.countrylife.co.uk/food-drink/hooray-for-festive-ham-31597|url-status=live}}</ref> A likely apocryphal story attributes Robert Burrow Atkinson's butchery shop, in [[Blossom Street]], to be the birthplace of the original York ham, or at least to have made it famous.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oliversofthemount.com/history.html |title=History of 57 & 59 Blossom Street |publisher=Oliver's of the Mount |access-date=5 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081108070325/http://www.oliversofthemount.com/history.html |archive-date=8 November 2008}}</ref>