R.W.Storer (1975)
Source:
R. W. Storer (Auth.)
Victorian Selston [includes Bull Guysing fragment]
Selston: Worker's Education Association, 1975, p.54
This is a general local history of the Parish of Selston, Notts., which
includes Bagthorpe, Underwood and Jacksdale. The following appears on page 54;
"Older children and adults took the mumming plays or 'Bull Guysing' to the
public houses and for a few of the better-off houses. These plays had their
origin in Mediaeval Times and the acting or spoken word portrayed either the
Christian Festivals, the New Year, the Saints, etc. Some older readers may well
remember the cheery character of the blackened face of Bel-zebub and his final
lines at the Christmas play:-
In comes owd Bel-zebub,
On me back a' carry me club,
In me 'and a dripping pan,
Don't yo'u think I'm a jolly old man,
If yo'u don't, I do.
Plum puddings hot, Plum puddings cow'd,
Plum puddings in the pot nine days owd,
If you think I'm a fool and got no sense,
put yo'ur hand in yo'ur pocket and gimme a few pence.
These plays have survived in certain parts of the country and in particular in
the Erewash valley until recent times."
Main variant
Transcript
Blood Tubs and Mummers Plays such as 'Maria Martin' or 'Murder
in the Red Barn' were presented in tents pitched near the
'Market
Inn' at Handstubbin and the 'Brick & Tile' at Underwood.
These
See full transcript...
Scan/Image
Index Terms:
| Locations: |
Selston, Notts. (SK4553); Bagthorpe, Notts. (SK4751); Underwood, Notts. (SK4750); Jacksdale, Notts. (SK4451)
|
| Years: |
Publ. 1975
|
| Subjects: |
Text Fragment; Play; Bel-zebub; Christmas; Bull Guysing
|
| Archives: |
TDRG Archive, Ref. TD00245
|
Last Updated Jan 1989 by Peter Millington.
|
