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Sunday 3 May, 2009
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LATEST UPDATES
Tree BulletST GEORGE ON A SUNNY DAY - Dave D's account of 2009's Southbank tour
Tree Bullet2009 DANCE DATES POSTED
Tree BulletBABY'S FIRST WORDS - Part 2 of Charlies Morris memoirs
Tree BulletBABY'S FIRST WORDS - Part 1 of new boy Charlie Green's first year memoirs
Tree BulletMAY DAY: A VIEW FROM THE OUTSIDE - Nic Wing's pre-enrolment May Day blog
Baby's First Words

THE SUMMER HAS STARTED AND WE'RE BACK OUT ON THE STREETS - CHECK OUT OUR DANCE DATES TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN SEE US


Introduction
| May Day | Summer | Winter | Mummers | Festivals | Ceilidhs

Mummers Plays

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.

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

   
 

Woodside Morris Men
1957
Squire: Dave Lang
Foreman: Dave Pearse
Bagman: Tim Rabjohn

Pump House Arts Centre
Local Board Road
WATFORD
Herts
WD17 2JP

Woodside Dancing Morris Men Logo

Morris Dancing is an aerobic form of dance which provides healthy exercise and social activity. Woodside's Foreman, Dave Pearse, is an expert instructor, having trained Morris Dancers, both new and experienced, for over twenty years, as well as being a folk dancer of nearly four decades' experience.

During the Winter, Woodside Morris Men meet at 8.00pm on Wednesday nights in the Colne River Rooms at the Pump House Arts Centre Watford. You would be most welcome to come along.
Click here for a print friendly map

Map to the Pumphouse
 

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