| HADDENHAM MUMMERS PLAY |
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Pictured is a scene from the neighbouring Long Crendon mummers play (cifrca 1990) being performed in a village pub.
IT is The Bucks Herald of 5th January 1924 that we have to thank for recording the mummers play that was traditionally performed in the village of Haddenham. In a regular gossip column called Notes and Queries, the author had been discussing mummer plays and, thankfully, wrote in full this version. It is worth including his introduction: The Haddenham version of the mummers' play was procured by the kindness of a particular friend, from Mr E Parker, of Flint-street, Haddenham. Taking it all round there seem to be fewer corruptions and more of the ancient echoes in it than in the other versions to which allusion was made last week. This may be due to Mr Parker's superior memory, or to the fact that circumstances kept the tradition more untainted at Haddenham, where (say the neighbouring parishes with that slight touch of malice to which neighbours are wont) the inhabitants were ever 'a hurlicking lot.' The question as to whether this word, which is sometimes pronounced 'harlicking', has anything to do with harlequin, must not detain us. At Haddenham, the characters numbered six; No 1 had no other name than Number One, his function was somewhat that of the Herald in Euripides's plays introducing characters without himself contributing to the action. Father Christmas was dressed in the customary manner; but King George was resplendent in scarlet tunic, adorned with any medals available, and a helmet-like headgear. The Turkish Knight always had his face blacked and his clothes were of the same sombre hue, except that a yellow V adorned his coat, and he wore a round hat which bore a feather. The Doctor contented himself with a top hat and a tail coat and Johnny Jack was truly clad in motley for hiss garments were as much bepatched as the Dinton hermit's, and on his back he carried a bundle, either to give him the appearance of Punchinello, or to symbolize the family of which he boasts.The gossip columnist on The Bucks Herald mentions another version of the Haddenham play that he received from a correspondent at Great Kingshill. This version appears to have been performed on St Catherine's Day (November 25th) and some of the verses refer to Catterns. Sadly the columnist never published these and they appear to have been lost. Author Walter Rose must have used the above script as an aide memoire when writing his books on Haddenham as they are almost identical. However he does add some more colour about Number One carrying a broom and further stage directions. In Good Neighbours he writes: "Towards the end of the nineteenth century, zeal for conventions exceeded the ardour of the village to maintain the truly historic play. The police made it their duty to hover on the heels of the players, keeping a watch on their conduct; so that they became fearful of making unannounced entry to a private house. Thus it was, that, in the last years of the Mummers, the public house became almost the only place where the play could be rendered correctly." The play is still performed in Haddenham pubs at Christmas time along with more modern versions in surrounding villages, such as Long Crendon. - the full text No. 1: A room, a room, brave gallants, home! Father Christmas: In comes I, old Father Christmas, No. 1: Come in, my next head-man! King George: In comes I, King George, No. 1: Come in, my next head-man! Turkish Knight: In comes I, The Turkish Knight From Turkish land King George: What oh! thou little fellow, thou talkest very bold, Turkish Knight: Satisfaction? no satisfaction at all, (King George falls to the ground) King George: No! Think I've done with the Turkish Knight? (Turkish Knight falls to the ground.) Father Christmas: Is there a doctor to be found Doctor: Yes, there is a doctor to be found Father Christmas: Doctor, what is thy fee? Doctor: Ten guineas is my fee, Father Christmas: Doctor, what canst thou cure? Doctor: I can cure the hip, the pip, the palsy or the gout, King George: Arise, arise, thou cowardly dog, No 1: Come in, my next head man! Johnny Jack: In comes I, old Johnny Jack, This play is still performed by a Haddenham Mummers troop in Haddenham pubs at Christmas time along with more modern versions in surrounding villages, such as Long Crendon.
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