The Southport Mummers

The Southport Mummers were a small group of untrained actors who performed folk plays. The type of play varied, but the most common form is the one that folklorists call the 'hero-combat'. This is widespread throughout England. The central theme of the hero combat plays is that of the killing of one or more foes by a self proclaimed warrior and their subsequent resurrection by a doctor.

The champion may be Alexander, St George, King George etc., and the rivals include the King of Egypt, The Black Moroccan Prince, Bold Slasher and the Indian King.

The reoccuring theme of death and revival has lead many people to see the plays as debased fertility rites from a pre-Christian time.

Although there is not currently a Mummers team in Southport however they did reform to help us celebrate the Bothy's 35th Birthday and hopefully we will get to see them perform again soon.