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Troupes take to the streets for 195-year-old play

Paul Hardman A young girl and a boy wearing white outfits covered in multi-coloured ribbons having a mock sword fight in a village street. The girl, who is wearing a hat with the English flag on it, is swinging the sword and the boy is ducking backwards. A third person in similar dress, with a hat with the Irish flag on it, cheers them on in the background.Paul Hardman
White Boys performances have been staged for nearly 200 years on the island

Troupes of performers are set to stage a 195-year-old traditional folk play in streets across the island.

The first known record of a performance of The White Boys in the Isle of Man was in 1830, though the tradition is thought to date back much further than that.

The name derives from the unique, home-made costumes worn by the performers, which are decorated with multi-coloured pieces of fabric.

The performance sees two knights battle to the death before one is revived by a doctor.

James Franklin from Culture Vannin said the tradition was about "the community having fun", which would "always be relevant to the spirit of Christmas in the island".

The White Boys is one of a number of mummers' plays, which are traditional folk performances, to take place across the British Isles in different forms.

The tale acted out annually by Manx performers unique to the island.

Culture Vannin One boy and two young women in white costumes covered in multi-coloured ribbons, standing in a enclosed yard with wooden doors. The Woman at the front is wearing a horned hat, which the other woman is wearing a hat with the English flag on it.Culture Vannin
The informal performances change year on year, with two main troupes on the island

Mr Franklin said: "The White Boys being out on the streets is a mark of Christmas being here.

"Before this Victorian idea of Christmas being polite, on the island it was historically a time for relaxing and having fun, and also partying and being silly."

"Knowing how much work people put in behind the scenes to make it happen, it's an important thing which is changing every year."

Though there is no regimented script to the plays, they involve a comedic sword fight to the death between two knights, representing St George and St Patrick, before the revival takes place.

The street performance, which includes a special White Boys carol and culminates in a sword dance, can be seen at locations around the island.

North

At 11:00 GMT in Ramsey, outside the Courthouse.

At 12:00 Kirk Michael, outside Cannan Court

West

At 13:30 in Peel, on Michael Street (Southern Whiteboys)

At 14:30 in Peel, Michael Street (Peel White Boys)

At 17:00 in Peel, Black Dog Pizza, East Quay

South

At 10:00 in Port St Mary, on Bay View Road near the village shops

At 10:45 in Port Erin at the Railway Station

At 11:30 in Colby, at the Methodist Hall

At 12:15pm in Castletown Square

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