Rhymers or mummers, strawboys, wrenboys, biddymen, Halloween pranxters and Mayboys may not have been seen for years, but they are alive and well living in Armagh | ||
This fascinating and fun loving group of traditional
entertainers presents a wide selection of traditional plays, always richly
interspersed with musical selections. Their mummers play is a traditional
drama of death and resurrection, often preformed by roving bands of
actors, singers and musicians to while away long winter evenings.
Don't expect an engaging plot: this play is much more an opportunity to rhyme, sing, play, dance and visit than it is high drama. They are most easily recognised by their tall willow and flask masks which are mostly coned shaped but are also often in the shape of mythological creatures. |
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In there work they draw on the well of tradition,
but equally important, sinking new wells in terms of juxtaposing old and
new, native and exotic. They are both traditionalist and avant-garde:
tradition speaks through them in exciting new ways. Abroad they appear at
international Children's Theatre Festival, Celtic Folk Festivals and on
the university and college circuit. One of the great attributes of the
Armagh Rhymers is that they work tirelessly to bring children of all
backgrounds together.
In the future we can look forward to an even grater interplay between the traditional masked drama of the Armagh Rhymers and the more formal, poetic and classical style of Yeats' heroic cycle of plays, a perfect contrast of style and form. So look out for the Armagh Rhymers whether 'Hunting the Wren' or in the Mummers play or re-enacting the legends of CúChulainn and the Red Branch Knights from the ramparts of Emhain Macha. |