Britain has it’s own unique customs to celebrate Halloween and one of them is called a Souling Play which is a variation of a Mummers Play. These are seasonal folk plays performed by troupes of actors who are known as mummers or guisers. They usually perform the plays as house to house visits or in a pub. A Souling Play is traditionally around Halloween or All Souls Day on November 2nd. The performances are done on the doorstep and there is a hero who’s name is most commonly Saint George, King George or Prince George, who slays an opponent who is later revived by a quack doctor. Each region adds their special twist; the Cheshire play ends with a horse and driver. The Cheshire horse always has a real skull and three legs. The best-known Souling Plays are performed around Antrobus, Comberbach, Warburton and Chester. The Halton Souling Play is identical to the 1886 version and was revived in 2000 by the Earl of Stamford Morris. Any money collected tends to go to charity.
Tradition dictates that if you were to have a Souling Play troupe come to your door, you would give them a Soul Cake. Some regions refer to those who perform in a Souling Play as Soul Cakers. The tradition of giving Soul Cakes was celebrated in Britain and Ireland during the Middle Ages. The cakes are filled with allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and raisins or currents. Before baking they were marked on top with a cross to signify that these were alms. Children would go "souling" or begging for cakes door to door.
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| Weston Mummers |
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| Photo by Simon Garbutt Soul Cakers in Cheshire, England |
Tradition dictates that if you were to have a Souling Play troupe come to your door, you would give them a Soul Cake. Some regions refer to those who perform in a Souling Play as Soul Cakers. The tradition of giving Soul Cakes was celebrated in Britain and Ireland during the Middle Ages. The cakes are filled with allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and raisins or currents. Before baking they were marked on top with a cross to signify that these were alms. Children would go "souling" or begging for cakes door to door.
