Christian drama was traditionally focused on the liturgical Mystery Play, which was performed in European churches in the Medieval period, and the Morality Play, which developed in the 15th and 16th centuries, was an allegory, in which the protagonists met personifications of various moral attributes, with a view to encouraging audiences to live the virtuous life. In the 17th century the Church viewed theatre was being wicked, and sought to suppress it. During the 20th century churches, particularly evangelical churches, rediscovered drama as a valid art form. However, in Britain in the early 20th century it was illegal for an actor to portray a divine personage on the stage.
