Southampton Urban Mummers
Abstract
What happens when you mix traditional performance forms with contemporary practices? You get Southampton Urban Mummers, an oddly engaging hybrid with a modern flavour. The words may be familiar, the doctor may still save the day, but this is mumming constructed for a concrete jungle, with characters and costumes to match. Since 1999, a motley troupe of community artists and students have taken to the streets of Southampton once a year with their particular brand of festive spell-casting, informed by interests in ritual, participation and site. Performances are not advertised, but word of mouth ensures the presence of faithful and eager audiences. This is rough theatre, but built upon solid academic foundations, and dedicated to bringing a contemporary twist to a still meaningful folk tradition. This paper explores the methods and processes of Southampton Urban Mummers, as well as their theoretical underpinnings.
About the author
Matt Fletcher is a Senior Lecturer in Performance at Southampton Solent University, and coordinator of Artifice, a cross-media arts ensemble based in Southampton. He works as a writer, director and performer in theatre and live art contexts, specialising in work which investigates issues around process, audience interactivity and space. He is also the founder of legendary performance troupe The Butlers.
|
