Sound Recordings, Cheshire

Description

Adrian Peters, recorded at home in Marston, talks about his 7-8 year involvement with the Antrobus Soul-Cakers - link with wife's family and parts played [ David Goulburn contributes occasionally]; age of the play; the horse's head; motivation; tradition and the future of the play; minor changes acceptable; time of year, Halloween, mumming and the driving away of evil influences; audience responses; characters; choice of locations; drink; defines soul-cake; reference to old photographs of the soul-caking gang (in a book by Major Boyd); informant's wife relates a supernatural legend concerning a Black Lady; AP talks about why he participates in the play. [Tr. 3] David Goulburn, recorded at home in Antrobus, describes his first involvement (third generation) with the Antrobus Youth Club gang, c. 1946-1947 (boys' gang) - names people involved in soul-caking; also Antrobus Old Gang (adults) - other gangs in Budworth and Comberbach (ceased); early 1950s, gang members doubled up characters due to small group numbers; dates real revival as 1963 and cites influence of English Folk Dance and Song Society- folk drama included as part of an EFDSS event in New Brighton [?Wirral], and those involved enjoyed the event and stayed in the gang; little change, popular in Folk Clubs, private parties in the past (reference to Majors Boyd and Cameron-Rose); describes Major Boyd and performances in his house; the play's meaning - chants to ward off evil spirits, with soul-cake as largesse on All Souls' Eve; comments on all the play's characters; reference to soul-caking in Alderley Edge; attitude to changes in the text; out of season performances; acting abilities and audience responses, attitude of publicans; importance of the horse's head - rivalry between Antrobus Youth Club and [? Daresbury] gang; future of the custom; media coverage and publicity; soul-cake (versions of); religious persuasions of gang members. [Tr. 4] 8 of 9.

Metadata

Identifier xkypx4gz
IRN 414358
Class Mark LAVC/SRE/A307r
Level Item
Type of Record Archives - ISAD(G)
Peristent Link http://prototype1.library.leeds.ac.uk/xkypx4gz
Collection(s) Leeds Archive of Vernacular Culture
Category Archive
Parent Record Audiotape Sound Recordings
Creator(s) Pattison, Susan
Date [1975]
Size and Medium 1 x 12.7cm open reel spool, Duration: 51' 49".

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