The Mummer's Play
A Mummers Play is an English folk drama based upon the fight between good and evil. One of the protagonists is killed off by the other and is then revived by a magical doctor. Various other characters appear during the course of the play - the amount and variety depending upon the area in which the play originates.
Black Pig perform a version of the old Selston (Nottinghamshire) Bullguysers' play usually at Christmas or in the New Year. We learned it from an old Selston resident who last performed it in his youth.
It is usually performed in pubs local to the Selston area and the play lasts about ten minutes, depending of course on how much beer has been quaffed. PHOTO
We are in the process of rehearsing and fine tuning a new play. This has been written by one of our dancer/musicians Chris Deuchar and it revolves around Captain Pigwash. We are hoping to put this on our new CD and also perform it for the first time this year.
For further in depth information , photo's and scripts on hundreds of folk plays from all over England, visit the Folk Play web site from our related links page.
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Named after the ship of the infamous Captain Pugwash, Black Pig Border was formed in 1986 in Eastwood on the Nottinghamshire and Derby border. Our founder members were a group of like minded dancers and musicians who had tried other forms of Morris dancing and were looking for something a little different. From this small group of people, Black Pig has evolved over the years to what you see today.
We are a mixed group of both male and female dancers and musicians. We have performed all over England at a wide variety of events, ranging from pub tours through fetes and festivals. We have danced in California and Germany and also appeared in an episode of Peak Practice. Most recently we appeared in an episode of 'Hit & Miss' on Sky Atlantic.
New members of any age or disposition are always welcome to come and 'give-it-a-go'.