There is evidence of many forms of mumming plays performed in villages in the past. They were usually associated with important dates in the church or farming calendar. Few of the plays now remain intact, but it is clear that many involved a fight and usually depicted the triumph of Good over Evil. We have two plays in our current repertoire.
Pace-egg plays are associated with Easter, and we perform this play (adapted from several sources) in the spring time and around St Georges Day. The hero St George triumphs over the evil antagonist, but the over-riding message is that peace is best of all. The actors wear very colourful costumes including elaborate head masks.
Our latest play is a Robin Hood play with traditional characters fighting and later being revived by the well-travelled Doctor. As ever, all ends happily. The play includes dance and song, and the masked actors wear colourful costumes.
Our original mumming play, a Plough Play, is being rested at the moment. Traditionally this play was performed at the beginning of the year on or near to Plough Monday. Originating from the village of Bassingham in Lincolnshire, over the years we performed it, we have added our own contributions in the traditional way.
English Miscellany practises regularly throughout the year and performs the plays as needed. With more than 20 years experience, we have been able to run workshops at folk festivals incorporating all three plays with suggestions on how to go about producing a mumming play.