Frome Valley Morris Men Mummers Play

Every year since 1978 the Frome Valley Morris Mummers have performed an action packed mummers play which up until 1936 was originally performed at Broadwey near Weymouth. Their bright costumes with colourful streamers hanging down over the face for disguise are based on the actual costumes worn at the time. The Frome Valley Morris Mummers specialise in turning up at a venue, entering and performing the play. The first the surprised audience knows is the unexpected entrance of the Announcer, followed by each character in turn introducing themselves Father Christmas, Saint George, A Turkish Knight, A Doctor, Beelzebub, Jack Vinney (A Village Idiot). This does not usually stop anyone watching joining in with the spirit of the play with interactive cheers and good humour.

This year on the Winter Solstice, the performers toured the Weymouth venues including The Boot Inn, The Kings Arms, The Red Lion, The Chapelhay Tavern and the Sailors Return

For more infomation about the Frome Valley Morris Group

http://www.fromevalleymorris.co.uk

Discover more Dorset traditions in the book 'Dark Dorset Calendar Customs', by Robert Newland, now available at Amazon.co.uk. Visit the Dark Dorset website, http://www.darkdorset.co.uk or blog http://darkdorset.blogspot.com
and open the door to a world of fascinating folklore and legends.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Father
• Christmas
• Saint
• George
• Folklore
• Customs
• Mummers
• Play
• Frome
• Valley
• Morris
• Men
• Weymouth
• Dark
• Dorset
• Darkdorset

[folkmagic]

I love this video, hope they perform this mummers play agin next year.

[darkdorset]

They did indeed play again this year at various locations in Dorset. Hope to have new video footage posted here very soon. Thank you for your comments - Dark Dorset

[hisarrow]

Bravo to the players, but I wish somebody would have punched some of the obnoxious drunks who wouldn't stop talking in the background.

[Folkmadgirl]

My dad was once the hobby horse for this team so its great to see what they're doing now

[FJMLAM]

Absolutely brilliant stuff! Great costumes and props.

And the text clearly spoken. I'm so pleased that teams like this continue this fascinating tradition. thanks, too, for the interesting intro. Keep up the good work!