"The Derby Tup" is a Christmas Mumming play that, although it has long since died out in Derby itself, still occurs in the North Derbyshire area. It is usually performed by children in the 12-16 age range, visiting pubs in their locality in the weeks before Christmas and New Year. This film shows a version of the play from Ridgeway, Derbyshire, and was filmed in the winters of 1971 and 1972; it includes background to the locality as well as a complete version of the play, and footage of the team performing in several pubs. "A well-produced and sympathetic description of a little-known and fascinating custom." Bill Leader "'Derby Tup' is one of the most important films in the field of English folk custom. Genuine, scholarly, and a sensitive product of the film-makers craft, it deserves to be widely seen and appreciated. Prof S.F. Sanderson.
Format | |
DVD | 17 mins |