According to the legend that formed the basis of Wagner’s PARSIFAL, the Holy Grail is the chalice that caught the blood that dripped from Jesus on the Cross. Philipp Stölzl’s production actually provides a naturalistic depiction of this event in the prelude to Act 1: we are shown not only the crucifixion but also the blood of Jesus beginning to pour from the gash in his side and being collected in an 8-inch-high wooden goblet, all thanks to a little button-operated motor. This cup is a crude receptacle and when the Knights of the Grail assemble to celebrate the Last Supper a different chalice is used. After all, the original Grail has long since been elevated to the status of a relic, which is why we’ve produced a second chalice, identical to the first, studded with coloured stones and decked out with four tiny gold chains. As a precious relic, this chalice is kept in a large chest, which has to be carried up a steep staircase prior to the grand reveal. We’ve fixed the chalice in place with rubber bands to stop it rattling around in the chest, because all the pomp and ceremony would be dashed if the singer were to remove it the wrong way round.