This Christmas, the newly formed Godshill Guisers will be bringing festive cheer to the village with performances of their traditional Christmas Mummers play.
Open to all, these lively productions promise entertainment steeped in history and local spirit.
A Mummers Play is a form of folk drama with roots reaching back to medieval times. Traditionally performed by amateur actors, these plays are not the work of professional performers but of enthusiastic community members.
The familiar plot often revolves around a dramatic death and resurrection, typically featuring a heroic figure such as King George doing battle with an adversary like the Turkish Knight. The fallen character is usually revived by a comic ‘quack’ doctor.
Historically, Mummers plays were staged during festive periods such as Christmas, Boxing Day, or Easter, with performances taking place in pubs, private homes, or village squares. Actors were customarily rewarded with money, drinks, or food for their efforts.
The script for the Godshill Guisers’ play has been crafted by local resident Frankie Goldspink. Alongside her partner Chris, Frankie brings experience from performing Mummers plays in mainland villages.
A former Morris dancer, Frankie has long been fascinated by the play’s history and has amassed a collection of over 30 Mummers play scripts from across the country, including 1 from the Isle of Wight itself. Each script reflects a unique local take on the traditional storyline.
For Godshill, Frankie has preserved the core format but streamlined and simplified the narrative to ensure it is accessible and enjoyable for family audiences. The result is a concise performance, lasting approximately 15 minutes.
7 adult volunteers from Godshill Matters are involved in this year’s production, with rehearsals already in full swing.
Residents and visitors alike are invited to enjoy the Godshill Guisers in action at The Christmas Cracker on Saturday 6th December between 12:30 and 14:30, performing at various locations around the village. Additional performances will take place in local hostelries throughout December.
