The Chagford Mummers

Initiation

The Chagford Mummers is an amateur Folk Theatre Troupe based in Chagford, Devon UK. The troupe developed out of the Annual Jack-in-the Green May Day procession, which was devised in 2013 by Andy Letcher, Naomi Macleod, Terri Windling and Howard Gayton.

Chagford 'Oss receives a blessing

Howard Gayton undertook two 'mumming' Pilgrimages, organised by Kriya Arts in 2020 and 2021, the second of which which walked from Dragon Hill in Swindon, to Land's End performing a mumming play 'George and his Many Enemies'. The pilgrimage passed through Chagford, and the play was performed in St Michael's church, and the Barn of JasonofEngland

Following this Pilgrimage, Howard Gayton formed the Chagford Mummers with Lisa Schneider, Tony Whitehead, and Eleanor Darley. The aim was to create specifically amateur performances that could be presented at various community events linked in particular with seasonal ceremonies.

First shows

Their first Mumming show was Gawain and the Green Knight, performed in January 2024 as a part of Wassail ceremony on Ore Hill (a community orchard). Performed by Lisa Schneider, Tony Whitehead, Eleanor Darley and Howard Gayton.

The second show, Robin Hood, was performed in St Michael's Church in December of 2024. The members for this performance were Lisa Schneider, Tony Whitehead, Eleanor Darley, Ruth Webb (who played the 'Oss), Jim Penny and Howard Gayton