Soulcaking At Antrobus
Description
A complete performance of the Antrobus Soulcaking play, recorded in the Wheatsheaf public house, Antrobus (Cheshire), in November 1974. This is followed by interviews with members of the Antrobus Gang. The film was produced for the Institute of Dialect and Folk Life Studies (IDFLS) by the University of Leeds Television Service in 1975. The film starts with a brief introduction to the play, and an explanation of the film's aim to show not just the play's performance, but what lies behind the tradition. This is followed by a recording of the play being performed at the Wheatsheaf Public House on 12 November 1974, featuring the characters Enter In ( Wilf Isherwood), King George ( Bernard Hurst), the Black Prince ( David Goulburn), Mary the Old Woman ( Edward Isherwood), the Doctor ( Cecil Bland), Dairy Doubt ( David Burne), Beelzebub ( Grey Hodnett), the Groom ( Jim Wright), and the Horse ( Jack Thompson). There follows a series of short interviews with the members of the Antrobus Gang: Jack Thompson (the Horse) discusses the places where the play is performed; playing the Horse; the Horse's head and its importance to rival soulcaking Gangs; the revival of the tradition of soulcaking after the war; and the role of the play in bringing members of the team together. David Goulburn (the Black Prince) talks about the Antrobus Gang, and the future of the soulcaking tradition. David Burne (Dairy Doubt) discusses the Dairy Doubt character; the soulcaking tradition and its future; and changes in the village of Antrobus. Grey Hodnett (Beelzebub) discusses joining the Antrobus Gang as a newcomer to the village; performing the play, the Antrobus Gang and being part of a tradition. Wilf Isherwood (Enter In) discusses soulcaking as a tradition in his family, and the tradition in general. Edward Isherwood (Mary) discusses people's reactions to the soulcakers past and present, and the idea of the soulcakers as ghosts. Jim Wright (the Groom) discusses the idea of soulcakers as ghosts, and the Antrobus Gang. Cecil Bland (the Doctor) discusses the Antrobus Gang; the time of year when the play is performed, and playing to meet demand; soulcake. The film finishes with the Antrobus Gang being described as a whole (rather than constituting a number of individual players).
Metadata
| Identifier | cvppdn7c |
| IRN | 414950 |
| Class Mark | LAVC/FIL/F005 |
| Level | Item |
| Type of Record | Archives - ISAD(G) |
| Peristent Link | http://prototype1.library.leeds.ac.uk/cvppdn7c |
| Collection(s) | Leeds Archive of Vernacular Culture |
| Category | Archive |
| Parent Record | Film |
| Creator(s) | University of Leeds. Television Service |
| Date | 1975 |
| Size and Medium | 1 x 32cm spool, Duration: 25' 30". |