Mummers Plays

Here we present the scripts of several Mummers Plays.

We have listed them in the 3 groups as defined by Alan Brody in his book 'The English Mummers and Their Plays' (Pub. Routledge and Kegan Paul).

Some Plays have been published in books by Alan Brody and Alex Helm; others have been written in the mummers style by members of Green Man Morris.

The Hero-Combat

The most wide spread type is the Hero-combat whose elements are the combat, the death and the resurrection.

Hardwick Mummers for 10 actors.
Quedgeley Mummers for 5 actors.
Combat for 7 actors.
Christmas Combat for 7 actors.
Christmas Combat for 5 actors.
Christmas Combat for 8 actors.
Christmas for 8 actors.
Combat for 7 actors.
Written Robin Hood play for 6 actors.
Written Robin Hood play for 5 actors.
Written Robin Hood play for 7 actors.
Written Robin Hood play for 7 actors.

The Sword Play

This type of plays' action is divided into four parts. The first is the Calling On. This is followed by the first Dance. The third section is called "The Play" and the final is the Second dance.

These scripts are from the Greathan Sword Dance Play. Sword for 8 actors.

The Wooing Plays

In Brodys' investigation of the Hero-combat form of the mens ceremonial (Mummers Play) he saw a number of unassimilated figures hovering on the out-skirts of the central action.

These are the female forms of Besom Bet and the Fool characters. In the Wooing Plays these characters play key roles and assume central importance.

Coventry Wooing or Plough play for 9 actors.
Written for a Morris Wedding for 4 actors.

Other Mummers Links

Peter Millington's PhD Research of English Folk Plays
Modern use of Mumming
Eydon Mummers Script
Keynsham Mummers
The Ragged Heroes Mummers
Kirklington Mummers Play
Tollerton Plough Play
Photo of Eynsham Mummers pre 1914
Carrington Moss Mumming Play
A Script at Green Dome Temple Archives

Talk to us about Mummers

Email the Green Man