The Morris Men of Little Egypt
Boxing Day 2007

Tradition has it that Little Egypt's Boxing Day divides into 4 unequal parts:

1. The Mustering at the Sign of the Squire
2. The Dancing at the Sign of the Black Lion
3. The Mumming at the Sign of the Cross of St George
4. The Going Ahead at the Sign of the Cross-Dressing Morris

Boxing Day 2007 Index

Almost as old as the tradition that the Morris Men of Little Egypt dance on Boxing Day at the Black Lion is the tradition that the Stour Valley Mummers (aka the "Stour Valley/Little Egypt Mummers" (for public liability insurance purposes)) make their annual appearance to perform the age-told tale of Light and Dark.

Learn about the earlier activities of the Stour Valley/Little Egypt Mummers

• Deep in the archives
  1995-6
• 1997 An Introduction
• 1997 Detail
• 1998 Programme and photos
• 1999 Programme
• 1999 Report
• 2000 Report
• 2001 Report
• 2002 Extra
• 2002 The St Edmund Script
• 2003 Boxing Day
• 2004 The New Play
• 2004 - The Cast
• 2004 - The Angel
• 2005 Black Lion
• 2006 Last Year

The 2002 St Edmund Script created not a little interest.

Earlier in July 2007, with permission, it was reinterpreted at Kirton, near Felixstowe, and the whole performance can be viewed through this link.

The script for the 2007 Play, copyright Ruth Stephens and the Stour Valley/Little Egypt Mummers, may be downloaded here.

The author and SV/LEM hereby assert their intellectual rights, ownership, self-esteem, credit-worthiness and sanity, and would like to be informed of, and would appreciate a mention and full credit in, any future performance.
The author and SV/LEM can accept no responsibilty for any problems or damage caused by the downloading, opening, reproduction, practise or performance of this script, howsoever caused.
Any such performance is entirely at the actors' risk. In particular, but not exclusively, we can take no responsibility for damage or injury caused by Jukes-like over-acting.

Baggie Brian takes up the story once more:

After a pint or three it was time for the Mummers Play.

Written by Ruth along traditional lines, with topical references to the arrival in Glemsford of a Community Policeman and the Great Pharmacy Debate, the cast comprised:

• Geoff as Room,
• Graham Father Christmas,
• Barbara Reindeer At His Side,
• Tommo and Hazel St George and Queen of Glemsford,
• Neville Landlord,
• Sir Jukes Bold Slasher the Egyptian Knight,
• Maggie Cleopatra his wife
  and
• Terry as the Doctor, Jack the Quack.

Room room brave gallants give us room I say
And let us sport upon this winter’s day ...

In comes I St George of England bold
Twas I who slew the dragon, took his gold
And rescued sixteen virgins from the slaughter
Including Glemsford’s royal daughter.

In comes I the landlord good
I keep fine beers and serve good food
A welcome warm awaits you all

If you think that we’ll let you lot take over this fair land
Then think again you swarthy one and get back to your sand...
By George I’ll cut this saint to size
I’ll tear his limbs asunder

Oh mercy from the gods above
St George has murdered my true love
In cowardly display

Here come I good Doctor Jack
The local healer some say Quack
I’m famous here in all directions
For amputations and dissections

In comes I old Father Christmas!
With deeds of good I come at Christmastide
Dressed all in red with reindeer by my side

Some say I married well below my station
But look at her, imagine the temptation!!

Aha!
In comes I bold Slasher, If you wonder why I’m here
I’m head of Cairo CID and I love inspiring fear

With this sword I’ll cut you and by it you shall die
I’ll pick you body full of holes and make your buttons fly

At this point there should be a picture of Cleo and Mrs Sinjorg scrapping, but it has been censored to avoid contravening the Human Rights Act

Oh grief and woe, I’d give my life
To see again my sweetest wife
Is there a doctor to be found can raise these persons from the ground?

But now that I’m restored I see
That George would be too much for me
I’m handing in my warrant card
These Englishmen are much too hard

• Morris Index
• Glemsford - The Village