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Plays
At all our events you will be entertained with authentic plays from
the period. Most days we do three, though sometimes you may be treated
to an extra rehearsal of one of our new plays. All done whilst keeping
in our historical roles, even the swearing. Some are funny, some more
serious, but all have a moral behind them - no room for frivolity for
the sake of it in the 16 th century. The plays we do include the following
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Saint George and hys Many Enemies
Everyone's favourite tale of swashbuckling, valour and heroics. With
a virgin to protect, Saint George must face a fierce dragon, Beelzebub
himself and Salladin the Saracen Knight. There are swordfights, fire
blowing, juggling, lots of jokes and some audience participation - we
expect you to cheer on George of course, boo the baddies, and you may
even be called upon to help choose the cast!
Chanticleer and the Fox
You'd better brush up on your farmyard noises for this one - we need
your help. With plenty of involvement from the audience, Melford hys
Companie brings you Chaucer's tale of an arrogant cockerel and his downfall.
Not one for those with feather allergies.
Interlude of Youth
Supposedly based upon the life of young Henry VIII. Youth falls into
bad company (and that's not just the acting) and faces eternal damnation
in the fire pit of hell - as cautions are not the stuff of drama. Can
he save himself with the help of Charity's plentiful salvation? Roast
nuts may be available after the performance.
Pardoner's Tale
Greed is the downfall of the three dullards featured in this play from
Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.. Their alcohol fuelled bravery to challenge
death soon turns into a tale of murder. Death has many guises.
Reeve's Tale
Another offering from Chaucer - this time the author himself makes an
appearance. It's a tale of mistaken identity, partner swapping and hilarious
domestic violence narrated in medieval Gujarati.
Mankind
Distilled from the three hour original to 20 minutes. The road to damnation
is paved with good intentions. The demon Titivillius is raised to condemn
a God fearing fellow from the righteous path. Will he fall or keep on
the straight and narrow?
Robin Hood
You know this one....
Crafts
When not performing plays or dancing we spend time making useful things
for the troupe or items which can be sold to make money. More than likely,
you will see Tom making musical instruments on his pole lathe, or Bone
doing leatherwork, Jack making candles, and any number of people sewing
or mending clothes. Other things you might see being made are combs,
long bows, and even tent pegs.
Cooking
Most of our cooking is done on a wood fire outside in our encampment.
However, at some events we have the use of an authentic kitchen Each
day we cook a meal on the fire, using original receipts (recipes), techniques,
implements and ingredients. Over the years the cooks have refined their
culinary skills to produce some top nosh. Egurdouce, frementy, mack,
chykens in hocchee are examples of some of the dishes produced. Don't
know what they are? A cook's never happier than when talking through
the dishes of the day. . . . .
Music
An MhC event would not be complete without some music. We accompany
the plays, the dances and just play for the enjoyment. Instruments you
will hear and see include english pypes, drums, recorders and some you
may not have seen before, such as the crumhorn and rauschpfife.
Dancing
At least once a day after a play we like to have a good dance. Normally
we'll try and show off a bit with a complicated one first - sometimes
we even get it right, but if we don't, feel free to laugh - we do! We
also like the visitors to join in, and have a few up our sleeves that
anyone can do, old and young.
Sport
Ever tried footwrestling? Stick wrestling? Civatino? Aley Sticks? No?
Well come and see how it's done. Cheer for your favourite, and challenge
our best players (unless you are Brian from Norwich that is...)
One of our most popular games is trapball. It's a sort of cross between
cricket and rounders. There's normally a game going on if the weather
is fine, and you can join in at any time. Beware of young Ben though,
our champion, he's very competitve!
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