The Adlington Mummers circa 1910. Click on the image to visit their webpage

Woodside Mummers in 1979, at the Royal Oak, Watford Heath

Mumming on the Green, at the Artichoke 2001

Much like Morris Dancing itself, the roots of Mumming - performing amateur dramatics in order to receive alms from the more well-off - reach back far into history, and the true genesis of the Mummers Play will have to remain conjecture. That doesn't stop us having a bit of fun with it though.

Woodside's version was originally adapted from the Croxley Play. the traditional performances of which date back hundreds of years, and include a special showing in the presence of Queen Victoria, apperantly.

The oldest version of the Woodside play that we can lay our hands on, was written by Peter Frost, and dates from around 1976. It has since been updated, adapted and rewritten by David Dunham. Copies of both of these versions of the play can be downloaded below, in Word 95 format. However, the play by its very nature tends to grow and adapt as each performance comes round, bringing in topical subjects that tip a wink to current affairs or the venue at which the play is performed.

The play is occasionally performed as part of Woodside's Christmas celebrations, at which we hope to bring a traditional feel to proceedings, with carols, folk songs, dancing and music.

If you can't make Woodside's play, then you could always try to catch the Croxley Mummers doing their thing, upon which the Woodside play was originally based. The Croxley Mummers usually tour the Green on the Sunday before Christmas.

Folk Play Reaserch Home Page
Master Mummers

Woodside 1976 King George and the Dragon
Woodside 1999 Version 1
Woodside 2001
Woodside 2002 Version 1
Woodside 2002 Version 2
Woodside 2002 Version 3 - for Alton Barnes
Woodside 2002 Version 4 - for Wybunbury
Woodside 2004 Version 3