Yesterday, we went to see the Mummers street play in Otterbourne, Hampshire.
It is a very old and traditional folk play and depicts King George slaying the dragon, Turkish knights and other adversaries. It was good fun to watch and the costumes were very colourful.
The revival of the injured knight by the doctor with his magic potion was entertaining. I was touched by the community spirit on display with people gathered on the street singing along with the actors.
The slain knight fell flat on the road right next to our dog Monty and I was concerned Monty might lick the knight’s face. Fortunately nothing happened probably because he couldn’t see a face to lick.
Here is a video clip showing you The Mummers Christmas play in the Otterbourne village, in 2010.
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Love the costumes!
I love Otterbourne village and have visited many times – but it’s embarrassing to say I haven’t seen the Mummers street play before. We are so close – it’s almost unforgivable not to have seen the Mummers.
Many years ago I saw another kind of a Mummers Christmas play at Potters Heron Hotel. I believe they were from Romsey & Chandler’s Ford Round Table. Their performance was hilarious and I was truly impressed with the energy and creativity of the men. To be honest, I didn’t know what they were saying as I believed what they said was a kind of old / middle English. Everybody was laughing and what they said must have been quite funny (or rude). Their costume was not as colourful. The group was highly entertaining.
It was not a bad thing to be surprisingly entertained by a group of singing / dancing men while having dinner.
Mummers play, Morris dance….these make Britain such a forever enchanting place (Yes, I’ve now lived here for exactly 20 years!)