ABSTRACT
In the nineteenth century, mummers were usually gangs of plough boys or other well-knit groups of agricultural workers, and though today most mumming plays are still presented by all-male groups, they are rarely farm workers. The First World War, the plays' apparent crudity, changing social norms and expectations all helped the mumming plays' decline. If begging was a nineteenth century motive for annually performing a play, modern performers also collect money, though now usually for a local charity. Today some revivals of mumming plays stick closely to the handed-down tradition, not altering word or movement. The Heptonstall village pace eggers actually believed their willingness to adapt and evolve brought them closer to the genuine tradition than performing groups who prefer their mumming plays preserved as if in aspic. However, all the mumming play performances demonstrate the unique way drama can express community.
