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Comberbach Swilltub Mummers were reformed in 1985. Based in the village of Comberbach we perform traditional 'folk' plays in and around the area. Our principal play is the Comberbach Soulcake Play which is performed on the Eve of All Souls (31st October) and for nights during the next two weeks. Mumming should not be confused with amateur dramatics! The name Swilltub is the old nick-name for the villagers and probably derives from pig-farming at the turn of the last century (1900's).

Other than the village's own Soulcaking Play we perform the following:

George and the Dragon: traditional mumming play featuring hero/villain combat and resurrection.

The Derby Tup: A Derbyshire play, usually performed around Christmas, based on the song 'The Derby Tup'. We tend to perform this play throughout the year as it requires a minimum of four people and few props.

A Play for Peter: We commissioned this play a few years ago. It's a modern play which tells the story of salt in and around our village through history. It's a big, showy style of play with large props including a double headed giant.

The Wooing Play: This play is a variation of hero/villain death and resurrection set in a country village where the local farmer is recruited to go to war and when he returns finds his sweetheart married.  The twist is that it is the lass that is 'killed' and revived by a 'cockler' (cf. one who sells cockles - of course!).  The play features a baby of disputed fatherhood.  We tend to perform this play for weddings (it has been performed at the weddings of two of the mummers to date) and wedding anniversaries.  The baby is dressed up to look like one of the people for whom we are performing.  One performance (wedding of one of the mummers) had the baby being a sheep - don't bother to ask - it's a long story !

 

The Comberbach Mummers meet most Thursday nights in the Spinner and Bergamot, from around 10pm. It's a regular 'rehearsal' meeting where we may rehearse several pints. Our motto is :

Never Knowingly Over-Rehearsed

 

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