Mummers play at theatre

The Wheeze and Suck Band present their Mummers Play at the Peninsula Theatre at Woy Woy on Friday, December 12 at 8pm.

The night will be hosted by the Troubadour Folk Club.

Mummers' plays have been performed in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland for hundreds of years.

They are folk dramas based on the legend of St. George and the Seven Champions of Christendom.

They were originally mime or dumb shows, thus "mummers" from the word mum, meaning silent.

All the characters were played by men who kept the same part for many years.

Eventually, dialogue was added, but was passed on by word-of-mouth.

Consequently, the Chinese Whispers effect over the centuries and the loss of the real significance of the original story makes present day performances very entertaining but virtually meaningless to most audiences.

The principal characters are St. George, Captain Slasher, The Turkish Knight, The King of Egypt, Doctor and several men-at-arms who challenge St. George to a duel and are subsequently slain.

The Doctor enters and demonstrates his skill by resuscitating the dead knights.

Many historians believe that this drama is a celebration of the death of the year and its resurrection in the spring.

The Wheeze and Suck Band will also perform a set of musical pieces and will be supported by Fellowship of the Strings harp ensemble and the DangLyn Moon Folk Club house band.

Tickets will be available at the door at $15 including supper or from may be booked through Peninsula Music, Woy Woy, on 4342 9099.

For further information, phone Frank on 4342 9099 bh or 4341 4060 ah or 0417 456 929.

Press release, November 27