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The non-conformist congregations of Leicester, which had a long history, came out in force to support the Mayflower tercentenary there: about two dozen different churches took part in a series of events that included cinema shows, historical tableaux, and a large public meeting. The Leicester Mayflower Festival Committee was responsible for organising very successful “cinema exhibitions” depicting aspects of early American history, such as the arrival of Christopher Columbus. However, a series of elaborate historical tableaux was the crowning event of the tercentenary in Leicester. Directed by Harold N. Pochin and Miss Alice Newell, these historical reconstructions illustrated the Pilgrims’ journey to the New World and the general history of Puritanism, including the locally significant John Wycliffe and his Lollard preachers. The various “living pictures” were warmly applauded by the audience, but the stand-out set was a reconstruction of the Manor House at Scrooby, Nottinghamshire.
Leicester’s tableaux attracted coverage across Britain and as far afield as Paris for the strange costumes on display.