News updated: Thursday, April 10, 2003
See below for full details, and the Milltown Memories website for pictures of the play from the 1930s

See further below for times of Midgley Pace Egg play

• See the brave St George smite all his challengers.
• Marvel at the slain rise back to new life.
• Laugh at the perculia antics of Toss Pot.

Originally an adult rebirth ceremony for a good new season The Pace Egg Play is perhaps the world's oldest drama and can be traced back through English and European Mummers' plays to ancient Egypt and Syria. A mixture of a pagan rebirth ceremony with the later influences of Christianity and the Crusades.

The text of the Pace Egg has been past down orally over the years and was at one time performed by the village boys for coppers or eggs at Easter time. Heptonstall Pace Egg was revived in 1979, and now has an enthusiastic following. As a 'combat' version - the most popular variant in the Pennines - it promises to be an action-packed spectacle that shouldn't be missed! To add further excitement to the proceedings, Neil Collins the fire or knife juggler will herald the performance, weather permitting.

Please note: The Midgley Pace Egg performed by pupils of Calder High School will be at 3.30 pm followed by the Heptonstall version.

• St George - Ray Riches
  
• Bold Slasher - Jim Green
  
• The Doctor - David Burnop
  
• Black Prince - Andy Carter
  
• King of Egypt - Sydney Roper
  
• Hector - Stuart Hought
  
• Toss Pot - Dean Gash
  

Here are the times for this years Midgley Pace Egg. Hope that everybody can come and see at least one showing of it.

10:15am
Todmorden, White Hart Fold

11:10am
Hebden Bridge, Holme Street

11:40am
Hebden Bridge, St. George's Square

1:40pm
Midgley Bus Terminal

2:15pm
Luddenden Bridge

3:00pm
Hebden Bridge Marina

3:30pm
Heptonstall, Weavers' Square

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