 | | | Subject: 6.12.2011 - Four Weeks, Four Journal Posts - 1
Posted Dec 6, 2011 by  Bluebottle
| | Posting
1
 | | Q) Have you ever celebrated a holiday from another country or tradition?
A) I've celebrated Christmas in Yorkshire – and eaten Yorkshire puddings with my Christmas dinner. Does that count?
I often feel that we end up celebrating Christmas the American way rather than sticking to British Christmas traditions. Such as calling Father Christmas 'Santa' etc. Not that there's necessarily anything wrong with that, but it does lack individuality. I'd love to be able to go back in time and see a more traditional Wight Christmas, such as that described in WH Long's '1886 Dictionary of Isle of Wight Dialect to which is appended the Christmas Boys' Play'. It describes how the Christmas Highlight would be going to the Village Inn to have a drink and watch the Mummers' Play, which would feature Lord Nelson as a hero (Hooray!), Napoleon Bonaparte as a villain (Boo hiss!), along with Father Christmas (John Bull), Mother Christmas, King (Saint) George, Turkish Knight, Valiant Soldier, The Doctor (not  ) and Gurthead and Blunder, the comic relief. A typical excerpt is:
Here comes I — wold Father Crismus, Welcome, or welcome not.
And I hopes wold Father Crismus, Will never be forgot.
As I don't come onny once a year.
We should all like to taaste your wold strong beer;
And now I'm come I han't got long to stay.
But my sons and I wull make a little spoort avore we goos away.
Zo ladies and gentlemen gimme room, vor room o' you I praay.
<BB<
|
| | | Subject: 6.12.2011 - Four Weeks, Four Journal Posts - 1
Posted Dec 7, 2011 by Bluebottle
This is a reply to this Posting
| | Posting
3
 | | Same as everywhere else in the UK, really. Christmas trees, turkey and roast potatoes, Dr Who Christmas Special and Queen's Speech on TV. Christmas stock in the shops every day from September, a market in town on Christmas Eve. Tinsel and baubles everywhere, with the same Christmas songs played loudly in every shop.
It all seems to be about shopping and food. There are still some am dram pantos, though. My kids are a bit young and wouldn't sit and watch something like that yet – hopefully next year.
<BB<
|
| | | Subject: 6.12.2011 - Four Weeks, Four Journal Posts - 1
Posted Dec 8, 2011 by Solnushka (Foundation)
This is a reply to this Posting
| | Posting
9
| | Mummers plays would be fun. I wonder how you would update them? Who would be the villain now, or rather would it be acceptable? Wasn't there a hoohaa about the village in Cornwall or somewhere that burns effigies of politicians and celebs and such on Guy Fawlkes night (as per tradition).
I suppose pantos are the outlet for that now. But pantos are pretty good. I'm contemplating taking my son to one this year for the first time. I used to take my husband, but he just thinks it's more evidence that al Brits are crazy.
(Yes, I do think extra points are in order).
|
| | | Subject: 6.12.2011 - Four Weeks, Four Journal Posts - 1
Posted Dec 8, 2011 by Bluebottle
This is a reply to this Posting
| | Posting
10
| | Yes, the Mayflower theatre, the largest theatre in the South of England, does still do West End re-runs, and always does west end shows around Christmas as it thinks it is above doing pantomimes. It was the Gaumont and in the 60s and 70s they held concerts there and the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Queen have all performed there. Former H2G2 President Peregrin works there, and he has said that the owner always books his showbiz friends and what he wants to see, rather than pay any attention to anyone else, which is why every summer there is constant Jethro and Jim Davidson.
Mummers plays aren't particularly politically correct, but then Shakespeare isn't either. But Shakespeare is classed as high art and Mummers' Plays are common entertainment or 'folklore' at best.
Go on - take your son to a panto!
<BB<
|
|
