The SYMONDSBURY AND EYPE (Dorset) Christmas Mummers Play was recorded in full by Peter Kennedy at performances in 1951-57. Their song, "The Singing of the Travels", is played on the bells of Bridport church by Bertram Legg, who assisted with the post-war revival. Much was remembered by a former mummer, Tom Eveleigh, of Eype.

The SIDMOUTH AND DISTRICT (Devon) Mumming Play was recorded by Peter and Wyn Humphries in 1954. At that time, it had not been performed since 1908, so we are deeply indebted to Arthur Baker for remembering both words and songs.

1. SYMONDSBURY AND EYPE MUMMERS: "THE SINGING OF THE TRAVELS" The tune of the song played on the bells of Bridport Church - 0'24"

2. First part of the song recorded by Peter Kennedy from Tom Eveleigh of Eype 1951 - 0'38"

3. Arrangement for the film soundtrack played by The Haymakers directed by Peter Kennedy - 0'38"

4. SYMONDSBURY AND EYPE MUMMERS PLAY - ACT I - 11'32"

5. Music by The Haymakers - 0'37"

6. ACT II - 4'53"

7. Music by The Haymakers - 0'38"

8. ACT III - 3'24"

9. Song, "The Singing of the Travels", and final "Holly Bough" ceremony - 5'19"

10. SIDMOUTH AND DISTRICT MUMMING PLAY (28.52) Talk by Arthur Baker about the play - 0'58"

11. THE PLAY being remembered with songs - 25'14"

12. More talk about the play - 2'47"

Recorded & edited by Peter Kennedy & published on Folktrax Cassettes 1975.

The SYMONDSBURY PLAY: The Cast as recorded in 1957: Father Christmas & Jan: Albert Burton/ Room: Sydney Hoskins/ Egyptian King: William Bartlett/ St. George: William Perrott/ St. Patrick: David Shiner/ Captain Bluster: Alfred Tuck/ Gracious King & Tommy, the Pony: James Bartlett/ General Valentine: Ernest Tuck/ Colonel Spring: Keith Eveleigh/ Doctor: James Perrott/ Dame Dorothy: John Hodder/ Lady of the House: Margaret Bartlett

Recordings of the play were made at Symondsbury in 1951 & 1957. The local organisation in reviving the Mummers locally was undertaken by Bertram Legg, who with Peter's father, Douglas Kennedy, had been a botanical lecturer at The Imperial College of Science in London, and was then retired and living in Dorset, in the neighbouring village of Chideock. The Play was contributed to the 1952 Journal of The English Folk Dance & Song Society by Peter Kennedy.

THE SIDMOUTH PLAY: This is a remarkable feat of memory by Mr. Baker, and, interestingly, the part he found most difficult to remember was his own, that of Lord Nelson, which he had taken in 1905 when it was revived to commemorate 100 years after the Battle of Trafalgar. Arthur's father also remembered the Mummers going out at Ottery St. Mary. "I can assure any young chaps that, if any of the people in the towns is like they used to be 40 or 50 years ago, they'll enjoy themselves if they went out with the Mummers". The full text, music transcriptions & photograph of Sidmouth, a play from Dartington and details of other plays which have been collected in Devon are available from FOLKTRAX in "TWO DEVONSHIRE MUMMERS PLAYS" (Soundpost Publications 1971). Price £5 post free.