The Wantage Mummers: Every year the same - but different
Abstract
For forty years the Wantage Mummers have been performing a Berkshire version of the mummers play. In that time there has been no alteration to the traditional words or to the traditional course of action. However, each year the performance is refreshed by changing bits of business, aspects of costume or props/special effects, thereby introducing something new, usually of a topical nature. The presentation will illustrate this way of upholding a tradition whilst simultaneously providing something new each year. It will also discuss the effect that this approach, and the decision to only perform on one day, has on the performers and on the audience
About the author
Jim Birch became a morris man in 1973 with The Men of Sweyns Ey, a side which also took a mummers play around Swansea and the Gower at Christmas, and in due course he first appeared as Little Devil Doubt. Moving to Wantage in 1977 he joined Icknield Way Morris Men and that year was invited to perform with the Wantage Mummers. After a number of years pressure of work and family led to him dropping these pursuits but he returned to morrising in 2001, reappeared as a Wantage Mummer in 2003, and has been active ever since. He is presently their Bagman.
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