‘I’m A Fool, Not an Idiot!’
Cotswold Morris, the type of morris dancing that we do, will often include ‘other characters’ in the performance usually a fool or a beast or, if sides are very fortunate, both. We are the fortunate enough to have both, the ‘full package’! Rapper and Longsword sides will often have a Fool as well, usually called a Molly.
Fools History
From old pictures, morris sides often had a medley of exotic characters, especially Robin Hood and Maid Marian type characters. The influence of the court Jester, traditional clowning and the medieval traditions of the Lords of Misrule have also been melded into the current morris tradition of Foolling.
Development
Each Fool brings their own personality to performances and will, gradually, develop a unique personality drawn from the character of the side as well. Their performance may include loud verbal announcements, dancing in the set, keeping the whole performance going, engaging with the audience, circus skills, some form of interactive ‘stick’, charming grumps of all kinds, collecting etc etc.
Probably unhelpful to create categories or definitions, but there are perhaps 3 distinct types that can be readily seen:
- Country yokel in a smock
- Gentleman Fool in top hat and tails
- Jester in garish garb
So great diversity in style, garb and performance but some common themes as well – an accessible link between audience and dancers and also introducing something a little (or very) anarchic to keep performers and audience on their toes!
Read about the Yateley Smock here
Yateley Fools
YMM have always had a strong Foolling tradition particularly in loud banter and dancing with the set. Our past Fools are John Farrant (many outfits), Mike Taylor (top hat and tails), Dave Henderson (Smock), and Paul Montague (Highwayman, a companion to our masked Highwayman’s Horse).
Our current Fools are Ross Healey (mainly top hat and tails, smock but plenty of others as well!) and Hon Mem Peter de Courcy (Jester)
What Next?
We hope that you have enjoyed this modest foray into the world of Morris Foolling and found it informative enough to want to find out more. We also hope that when you next encounter a Morris side with a Fool you will be able to better appreciate the art and folly of these wonderful characters. They WILL welcome questions about, well, just about anything…..
YATELEY MORRIS MEN 