theatre logo Wantage Mummers Play - a traditional play. They are supported by the Icknield Way Morris Men of the Vale of White Horse
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Mumming is a ritual play that is well over a thousand years old. Whilst it is traditionally associated with the Christmas period (Midwinter Solstice), it is said to be linked with pagan rites showing the triumph of life over death (death and resurrection).

Indeed, in other parts of the country they are even performed at Easter and All Souls Day (near Samhain). We have performed the Wantage Mummers Play since 1977, which is based on an old tradition from the nearby village of Steventon.

We perform our play on December 26th. The Icknield Way Morris Men sponsor the Wantage Mummers.

Buy Old Father Beelzebub's Speech. Proceeds donated to charity.

Old Father Beelzebub's speech from The Wantage Mummers Play performed on December 26th 2008
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Following their successful 2008 Boxing Day performance, The Wantage Mummers made a donation to the NSPCC of £1100 news logo

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Cancer Research UK - Please help more people survive cancer

BOXING DAY PERFORMANCES
Saturday 26th December 2009

10:00 Faringdon Market Place
12:00 The Bear Hotel, Wantage
13:00 The Hatchet, Childrey

THE YEW TREE

The Yew tree was considered sacred by the Druids, who believed it to represent an emblem of immortality; in view of the nature of Mummers Plays, we considered this an appropriate choice for our web site.

Taxol is a naturally occuring substance (a diterpene) found in the Yew tree. It inhibits cell division and it is this property that makes it the basis for the treatment of certain kinds of cancer.

 

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