"Mums" the word!

With Christmas fast approaching, I am intrigued by some off-beat or unusual traditions, one being the Mummer's Play. It has its origins in the Middle Ages, but one of the earliest documented examples, though a fragment of text, is from the play written in 1730, in the city of Exeter, Devon county, England. It was later published in 1770. The earliest complete text is "Alexander and the King of Egypt", published by John White (d. 1769).
These plays reached a pinnacle through the 18th Century, later dying out in the 1800's.

Mummer's plays were colorful, seasonal folk/musical plays performed by mummers or guisers (those performing in disguise), generally with a theme of good and evil, death and ressurection, with a key element that included visitors at Christmas time. There was always the Hero (usually St. George), his Adversary (a satanic figure), the Fool, and finally, a quack doctor who performed miracle cures. They were typically performed in the streets or in the public house (the pub).

The word "mummer" stems from the Middle English word "mum" for silence, as well as the Greek word "mommo" for mask, hence the disguises. The Hero was often killed in the play, later to ressurected by the Doctor. You can imagine the audience, generally simple folk, in the town square cheering and shouting with glee at the miraculous recovery.

In the Royal Court, a new mummer's play was written each year, for the enjoyment of the courtiers. You can imagine the elaborate costumes and sets devised at that level of theatre.

At this time of year, I particularly like a song by Lorenna McKennitt, "The Mummer's Dance", which captures the haunting spirit of this art form. Give it a listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxTpvA-pUG0&feature=related

And a special thanks to the friend who turned me on to McKennitt's music. (You know who you are.)