Unstone (SK3777), Derbyshire

I.Russell (1979)

Ian Russell (Auth.)
'Here comes me and our old lass, Short of money and short of brass': A Survey of Traditional Drama in North East Derbyshire 1970-8 [Derby Tup plays]
Folk Music Journal, 1979, Vol.3, No.5, pp.399-478

This paper gives a very full description of a survey of Derby Tup or Old Tup plays performed in north east Derbyshire between 1970 and 1978. Full texts, with tunes, are given for plays from Barrow Hill, Birdholme, Bolsover, Brimington, Creswell, Eckington, Harthill, Killamarsh, Middle Handley, Poolsbrook, Renishaw, Ridgeway, Stanfree and Unstone. For some locations, more than one text is given, and there are photographs of teams from Barrow Hill, Killamarsh, Renishaw, Ridgeway and Unstone.

The accompanying analysis discusses the state of health of the tradition, and compares the texts, modes of operation, etc., of the plays. Useful tables compare song stanzas, speech elements and tunes. An appendix lists the names of all the actors in each of the teams, and shows which parts they played in which year.

I.Russell (1981a)

Ian Russell (Auth.)
'Appy New Year
English Dance & Song, Christmas 1981, Vol.43, No.4, p.16

Three photographs of folk play teams. The accompanying text reads:-

"In Unstone the lads who do the Derby Tup have this past two seasons come up with an idea that reflects the economic climate and would appeal to the present government. The Tup has become inanimate - a sheepskin-covered stool with detachable head joined by Velcro. This reduction in manning has lead to increased productivity and profitability - the collection is now split three ways instead of four!"

"The Jacksdale Bullguisers are traditional mummers from the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire border. The remarkable story of how they updated their hero-combat play to include the Brut King (with no apologies to Faberge) and Kung Fluey is told in The Journal of American Folklore due out in October 1981."

The photograph captions read:-

"The Unstone Tup, 31st December 1980 (photograph by Ian Russell)"

"The Jacksdale Bullguisers performing the play of Brut King, 29th December 1977 (photograph by Ian Russell)"

"The Jacksdale Bullguisers performing the Bullguys Play, 22nd December 1978 (photograph by Ian Russell)"