A TWISTED TALE OF TWO SEASONS

Historically, mummers were bands or rural performers who travelled the land performing seasonal folk plays with a s variety of themes.  The drama usually focussed on people’s connection with the land, and performances were staged as the seasons changed.  Often performed at Christmastide, Mummer’s plays were once a central feature of Yuletide celebrations, with mummer’s performing in village squares, inns great houses and castles.  Dressed in elaborate theatrical garb, and often wearing masks to hide their faces, mummer’s plays delivers entertainment that delights and amuses audiences with song, dance and prose, held together with a strong underlying message of ‘good will triumph over evil.

The storyline for Soulstice was inspired by traditional themes which include a duel, resurrection, and balance.  In Soulstice these themes have been given a twist, allowing for new characters and plotlines to support traditional mummer’s narratives.  Our tale revolves around the battle of summer and winter for domination of the land, their battle for supremacy and the rebirth of the fallen King.  A quack doctor, guiser, judge and dame complete the cast.

Today, we are reviving the tradition of mummer’s plays, producing dramatic living heritage for new audiences to enjoy.  Using traditional characters and plotlines, and mixing them with new ones, we present vivid recreation of historical storytelling theatre and has complete re-imagineered mummers for a 21^st century abundance.