A TRADITIONAL souling play – revived in 2000 after not being performed since 1886 – will be going the rounds of local pubs this weekend.
The Halton Souling Play – which lasts about 10 minutes – will be performed by the Halton Soulers, part of the Earl of Stamford Morris Dancers, based at Moore, near Warrington.
Tomorrow (Friday) they will be in the Frodsham area while on Saturday they will move into Hatton and Daresbury before moving to Moore, Lower Stretton and Appleton Thorn on Tuesday (November 4).
Traditional English mumming plays, featuring St George slaying an opponent who is later revived, with the appearance of the Devil, are normally associated with Christmas.
But in Cheshire they are performed in November, in the period following All Souls Day, and are known as souling plays.
The Earl of Stamford Morris revived the Halton souling play for the Millennium. Prior to that, its last recorded performance was in 1886. Since then it has been performed annually.
The script is almost identical to that of 1886, featuring a battle between Knight George and the Turkish Champion, with comic appearances from Beelzebub, The Old Woman, Little Jerry Doubt, the drunken Doctor and the ritual three-legged Cheshire Horse with his driver. There are traditional songs as well as more up-to-date ad libs and the Soulers welcome positive heckling and audience involvement.
All proceeds will go to the Halton Haven Hospice – and the Soulers will be trying to better last year’s £400.
Tomorrow the Soulers will be at The Tunnel Top, Dutton (8.30pm), The Bear’s Paw, Frodsham (9pm), The Bull’s Head, Overton (9.20pm), The Ring O’Bells, Overton (9.40pm) and Frodsham Folk Club (at the Conservative Club) (10pm).
On Saturday they will be at the Norton Arms (8.30pm) and the Castle Hotel (9pm) in Halton Village, the Hatton Arms, Hatton (9.30pm) and the Ring O’Bells, Daresbury (10pm).
On Tuesday they will be at the Red Lion, Moore (8.30pm), the Thorn Inn, Appleton Thorn (9pm) and the Ring O’Bells, Lower Stretton (9.30pm).
Further details can be obtained from John and Christine Dover on 01925 752905, Cindy and Ron Dunn on 01606 891145, Dave Love on 01925 600411, or Lyn and Alan Goodkin on 01925 740231
Pictured: The Halton Soulers
