Ilkeston (SK4642), Derbyshire
G.Christian (1951a)
Garth Christian (Auth.)
Midlands Mummers: KEEPING UP A CHRISTMAS (AND PAGAN) CUSTOM
Derbyshire Countryside,
Jan./Mar.1951, Vol.18, No.5, p.92
The folk plays performed at Christmas by Mummers in the Erewash Valley are
described. Extracts are quoted from Underwood, Notts., (last seen by the author
in 1944), and Jacksdale, Notts. The villages around Ilkeston, Derbys., are also
included in the discussion. The supposed pagan origins of the plays are
mentioned.
R.Scollins & J.Titford (1977)
Richard Scollins (Auth.); John Titford (Auth.)
EY UP, MI DUCK!: PART THREE: An affectionate look at the speech, history and folklore of Ilkeston, Derbyshire and the Erewash Valley
Ilkeston: Scollins & Titford, 1977, 0-9505292-2-2, pp.11-13
A miscellany relating to Ilkeston, Derbys., with an emphasis on dialect. A
broadside ballad is reproduced, entitled the "Murder of Joseph Smith".
There is a chapter headed "'Step in King George and clear the way!': The Ancient
mummers' plays of Ilkeston" This gives information about three plays;
Fragments are quoted from play collected from Mr. James Carrier, who performed
the play at the turn of the Century around Kirk Hallam. It had the characters;
First Guiser, King George, Young Turk, Princess of Paradise, Doctor and Betsy
Betsy Belzebub. This appears to be taken from R.Meynell (1957/58)
The second play was collected from Mr. Alfred Harris, who performed the play
in Stanley about 1920. It's characters were; Open Door, King George, Little
Turk, Little Turk's Mother, Doctor and Jolly Old Man. The introductory
speech is quoted.
Finally, there are brief notes about a play performed in West Hallam about
1890, and collected from Mrs. Beryl Body. Her father George Flint had been a
performer. The characters included a Fool and Be-elzebub. The Fool's opening
lines are quoted.
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