Red Stags Mummers Play Christmas 1996
This is the 1996 variant of a script we've had in use for a number of
years. Loosely based on the Crookham play, over the years it's absorbed bits
from other, more local plays such as Overton, and has been affected by what King
John's Morris have been doing, since the two plays occasionally share
participants. Jackstraws also have a mummers script which is more closely
aligned to the King John's script. Stags also have a Pace-Egg play, which I'll
post eventually, but this one took long enough. If you're looking for a
plough-play, Forresters
Morris Plough Play is also available.
If you know of any more plays which are on the net, please mail me and I'll add them to the list.
King John
Make Room, Make Room I say,
In comes I King John, King John is a man of courage bold With my
sword and spear by my side I've won many crowns of gold. I fought a fiery
dragon and drove it to the slaughter, And by the means of this and that I
won the King of Bohemia's daughter. So after me, walk in father, walk in
old man...
Father Christmas
In comes I old Father Christmas, welcome or welcome not, I hope old
Father Christmas will never be forgot. Now Christmas comes but once a year,
And when it comes it brings good cheer. Roast beef, plum pudding, minced
pies, Who likes them better than I?
King John
We can see that, old man...
Why I have travelled both far and near. I need reviving with a mug of
your strong beer. and if you bring me a pot of the best I hope your
soul in heaven shall rest. But if it is a pot of the small, We cannot
show you any sport at all.
King John is given a mug of beer
Ah, a mug of the best, the finest pint in all the West
KJ wanders off, whistling, to drink his beer
Father Christmas
Now, though old Father Christmas has but a short time to stay, He'll
show you sport and pastime, before he goes away, Activity of youth,
activity of age, the like of which has ne'er been seen on the stage.
All shout "nor likely to be"
Now in this place there shall be shown the dreadfullest battle that
was ever known. Walk in King John and boldly act thy part, That all
gathered here may see your wondrous art.
King John
Is there a man stands in this land, I cannot cut down 'neath my
created hand?
Extra
My name is Little No, In comes I to join the show, I'll fight King
John with Wondrous Art.nd boldly act thy part, That all
gathered here may see your wondrous art.
All
Get on out, it's not your part!
Father Christmas
But I know, there stands without, A man to beat King John,
without a doubt.nd boldly act thy part, That all
gathered here may see your wondrous art.
Slasher
In come I, a valiant soldier, Slasher is my name, With my sword and
buckler by my side, I hope to win the game. My head is made of iron, my
body lined with steel, All the rest is muscle, here love, want a feel?
King John
Go and cut your funny dance, Against King John you stand no chance.
I'll grind your bones as fine as dust, And send them to the cookshop to
make mince pie crust, So prepare your sword to fight, Satisfaction I
shall have before you go tonight.
Slasher
So battle to battle you and I must play, To see who on this ground
shall lay. I'll quickly take the life from thee, or thee from me.
King John
So battle to battle you and I must call, To see who on this ground
shall fall. So mind your hits and guard your blows, Likewise your head
and eyes also.
They fight and Slasher dies
Father Christmas
You been and killed my son. A Doctor, a Doctor, call me a Doctor.
All
You're a Doctor
raucous laughter from the audience interrupts progress for minutes!
Extra
In comes I to show my art, but now I find I must depart.
receives suitable treatment from Xmas
Father Christmas
Is there a doctor to be found, To cure my son lies bleeding on the
ground?
Doctor
Oh yes, there is a doctor to be found, To cure your bleeding son who
lies... To cure your son who lies on the bleeding ground..., To cure
your son who lies upon the ground, bleeding.
Father Christmas
But what is thy fee, Doctor?
Doctor
Ten farthings is my fee, But ten guineas I ask of thee. Fetch me
an old woman, four score years and ten, And I'll soon fetch her round, fat
and plump again, And ask nothing for my fee.
Father Christmas
What can you cure, Doctor?
Doctor
I can cure wheezes, sneezes, cuts and grazes, I have a skill that
always amazes. Nicks and scratches, bumps and bruises, Why almost
anything I chooses! I've mended sides that split form laughing, And
stopped a cat from loudly barking.
Father Christmas
Really! How did you learn your trade?
Doctor
On my travels of course. Why I've been to Eastleigh, Beulieu and Leigh
Delamere And most of the pubs, hotels and bars you'll find round here.
Italy, Sicily, France and Spain, all round the Isle of Wight and back again.
Extra
Can I have a word?
they huddle together
Doctor
(Stage Whisper/Shout) HEAMORRHOIDS!
I've got piles of solutions. But... I'll ask double for my
fee.
Father Christmas
You seem too clever for me, Doctor.
Doctor
Clever, clever as you shall see! I have a little bottle of stuff with
me, Some call it hokey-pokey, some kill-me-pains, Let them call it
what they will: Gales, Badger? It will soon fetch your son to life.
One drop on the skullbone, one drop on the heart... Arise Bold Champion and
quickly depart.
Father Christmas
Thankee Doctor, thankee.
Now in comes a Turkish knight, and with King George he wants to
fight. He tells of great wonder and boasts of great skill, and if he
gets the chance, King John he'll surely kill.
Extra
In comes I, the Man of Kent. In I come and out I went.
Turkish Knight
In comes I the Turkish knight. from Turkey's land I've come to fight.
So King John put up your sword to fight, Satisfaction I will have before
you go tonight.
King John
Ha! Ha! my friend, your talk is very bold, But though your blood be
very hot, I'll quickly fetch it cold. So therefore Turkish Knight,
Prepare your sword to fight, Pull out your purse to pay, Satisfaction
I will have before you go away.
Turkish Knight
so battle to battle you and I must play, to see who on this ground
shall lay, So mind your hits and guard your blows, Likewise your hits
and eyes also.
They fight, Turkish Knight submits...
Turkish Knight
Now down upon bended knee I humbly crave, Spare my life and a ransom
my Kingdom shall raise.
King John
Rise up at once thou Turkish knight and to thy country go, And tell
how great is England's King who shows mercy to a foe.
Turkish Knight
I shall leave this country, and quickly I'll be gone, God bless the
good people of Hampshire, Likewise their champion King John.
Both Depart
Extra
In comes I, The Parson's Nose. In I comes and out I goes.
Receives suitable treatment from Xmas yet again
Twing Twang
In comes I, Twing Twang, strong man of the press gang, Come to press
young men to the Navy, To fight the French, and just about everybody else.
I am a man of great renown, With wife and kids in every town.
And though my name be Johnny Jack, with my wife and family on my back.
My head is big, my wit is small, I think I'm the best man of all.
Father Christmas
Oh you do, do you?
Twing Twang
Yes, I'm strong.
Slasher
You're not strong enough to carry a tune!
Twing Twang
I'm fast.
Turkish Knight
You're not fast enough to catch a cold!
Twing Twang
My sword is sharp.
King John
It's not as sharp as your wife's tongue!
Twing Twang
I've great skill.
Extra
You've great skill at spinning a yarn! Can you move?
Twing Twang
I've moved many a lady's heart!
Father Christmas
As you think you're the man to beat King John, Well I should have
fought him all along. I could have beaten him black and blue, Why I
think I'll have a rap along with you.
Twing Twang
Battle to battle you and I must play, To see who on this ground shall
lay.
Father Christmas
Battle to battle you and I must call, To see who on this ground shall
fall.
They fight. Xmas is killed
Twing Twang
Ladies and Gentlemen, see what I've done, I've killed my poor father, before the rising sun.
And now our play is almost ended, Our moneybox is recommended,
Silver and Gold will do us no harm, While good food will help to keep us warm
Good luck and Good fortune are all that we bring, So please treat us kindly and God Save the King.
Now here I sit, taking my ease, Ladies and Gentlemen, give what you please.
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