Frome Valley Morris Mummers

The presentation covers an outline of how a play is delivered and what its importance might be. The focus is on the play I have been associated with for forty years – the text is deposited in the Dorset History Centre. This fairly typical hero Combat/Quack Doctor play was performed in Broadway, Dorset before WWI. The reasons for the changing nature of costume and presentation since 1980 are briefly considered and illustrated with photographs. The context of the play is explored. Anecdotes are chosen to reveal the attraction of the play for those who take part and for those who watch. Two pieces of creative writing describe experiences of mumming and relate them to society and the individual.