Mummers (also known regionally as guisers, strawboys or wrenboys, the latter when they appear on Wren Day) are groups of people who dress in traditional costumes to perform certain predefined roles and represent the so-called Mummers’ Play. These works are performed outdoors, often on the street or in the market square, sometimes also indoors, either repeatedly during house calls (when the entire procession moves through the village) or in public houses.
The word “mummer” has been in use since the Middle Ages, but our knowledge of what these mummers were doing is incomplete: they were in disguise, but no notes on the works have survived. In fact, “mummer” may have been a very generic term for an actor or performer. The mummy may be related to German and European carnival customs. A kinship to medieval mystery works may be suspected, but the genre of the subject is very different and much more “earthy” (not to mention the comic).
Mummers’ works, as presented today, appear to be from the 18th century, although the elements in them will have much deeper roots.
The Mummers – The Roles to Play
Depending on the locality and the size of the company, there can be a lot of variety in the mummies, but generally it is about the main characters found. Note that the characters are rhymed by the storyteller (see below) or will make a short speech upon entering center stage for the first time, introducing themselves:
- In England, the main hero of the process would be St. George … which will not work very well in Ireland. So here we have a ” Knight of Saint Patrick ” or similar who takes on the immense task of defending all that is good and right.
- The adversary of this gentleman would often be… Saint George or at least an English gentleman (who will use the red cross of Saint George as an emblem). Replacing traditional enemies like a Saracen, Turk or Moor, alternately a rebel soldier called “Slasher” (by name and trade, you might say).
- There may be a dragon or a “wild worm”, as well as a type of horse (the latter often tends to cause harm to passersby).
- As for the more human characters, the ” storyteller ” introduced in the play, the characters and so on could be Santa Claus (the mummy was often played on Wren’s Day) or, another Irish twist, Saint Patrick himself.
- And then there are the supporting characters – these can include heroes like Robin Hood, a Diablo, Brian Boru, or even Wolfe Tone. It must be said that these are as authentic as King Arthur in Disney’s “Sword in the Stone.” And they are interchangeable, with a historical precision that leaves everything else out.
- An important member of the cast (who often provides comic relief and a bit of horror at the same time) is » the Doctor «. Not Doctor Who, but a doctor who calls on the scene and will administer wonderful cures and potions and give advice.
Add to this numerous musicians and a general crowd of interacting spectators and your cast is complete.
The work of the Mummers: the good ones prevail
If you are expecting a Shakespearean drama, don’t watch a mummers play… although the themes can be very similar and even the bard has his humorous side, the play performed by the mummers will be one big farce and melodrama galore. . And everyone knows the end anyway.
The central plot revolves around killing and then resurrecting one of the characters. Or more of them. In more or less gruesome and rude ways. A good example would be the Knight of Saint Patrick meeting Saint George, exchanging insults, drawing weapons, then a good fight and someone ends up dead. This is the signal for the doctor to appear and perform his miracle. Up springs the dead hero (or villain), the plot takes other turns, evil is defeated and escapes … or so.
Not much of a plot?
What did you expect? The whole scene is presented in black and white and the tone is generally humorous so it’s all about cheering up your hero and getting a good boo for the villain. As campy as the Batman TV series and with as much psychological depth as one of Schwarzenegger’s early films (but with fewer explosions and special effects).
A dying tradition?
Yes and no, the mummy and Wren’s Day seem to be a thing of the past, but some dedicated people keep the tradition alive. Among them are the Aughakillymaude Mummers, who have their own center and museum in Derrylin (near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh).
