Why not venture out this Boxing Day and watch a quirky custom being carried out? Across the country, bands of merry men and women will be performing a traditional Christmas play, known as a Mummers Play. The plays are often performed in or near a local pub, so all the more reason to pop along…
St Albans Mummers Play
Watch the traditional Christmas play of St George and the Dragon, complete with a wassail carol and the ‘Lord of Misrule’, performed by the St Albans Mummers. This year, there will be performances taking place at St Albans Museum & Gallery (Old Town Hall) at 11.30am, The White Hart Hotel at 12.20pm, West End, St Albans Abbey at 1pm, The Fighting Cocks at 1.50pm and The Clock Tower at 2.40pm.
Marshfield Mummers Play
Join Gloucestershire’s Marshfield Mummers, aka The Old Time Paper Boys, as they perform their traditional play in the town’s Market Place. Their curious ‘paper boys’ name comes from their costumes, which are made from strips of old newspaper. Their play, revived in 1930, is introduced by the Town Crier and features an eclectic bunch of characters, including Old Father Beelzebub, King William, Saucy Jack, and Tenpenny Nit.
Keynsham Mummers Play
This year will be the 42nd time the Keynsham Mummers have performed their play, since its happy revival in 1977. The play is performed by the Bristol Morris Men at St John’s church, Keynsham Library and The New Inn. Their play also includes the characters of St George and Father Christmas, and due to some ad-libbing, is slightly different each time!
Keep up to date with the many traditional folk plays being performed on Boxing Day, visit themorrisring.org.
Leave a comment