Liturgy and Drama in the Anglo-Norman Adam by Lynette R. Muir is a groundbreaking exploration of one of medieval Europe’s most intriguing and overlooked plays, the Ordo Representacionis Ade (Play of Adam). Blending the sacred and secular, this 12th-century work dramatizes the biblical Fall of Man, the murder of Abel, and the Prophecies of Redemption, weaving together Latin liturgical chants and vernacular French dialogue.

Muir’s scholarly study delves deep into the play’s unique structure, which combines operatic chant, mime, and dialogue, creating a powerful tripartite theatrical experience. Through her detailed analysis of the staging, production, and iconography of the play, she illuminates how medieval audiences experienced this fusion of liturgical ceremony and theatrical storytelling. Drawing on biblical sources, church liturgy, and medieval drama traditions, Muir reveals the richness of the play’s theological and artistic dimensions.

With close attention to the play’s theological themes—original sin, the consequences of the Fall, and the promise of Redemption—Muir situates the Play of Adam within the broader context of medieval religious thought. She also sheds light on the practical aspects of performance, from costumes to music to the physical stage, offering insight into how this drama was brought to life. Essential reading for students and scholars of medieval drama, this study reclaims the Play of Adam as a vital piece of literary and theatrical history.