Twelfth Night at Bankside
We’ve all had weeks (possibly even months) of preparations and shopping leading up to Christmas then, once Christmas Day arrives, it’s all over before you know it. The twelfth day of Christmas is time for the tree and decorations to go way for another year, but it’s also a night for its own celebrations. Londoners wishing to join in with the day’s festivities should make their way to Bankside for 2.45pm on 6th January.
The Holly Man
If the weather is agreeable, the foliage-bedecked Green Man will make his way to the celebrations in the Thames Cutter. If the weather isn’t conducive to safe river travel, the Holly Man will still arrive at Bankside but he will have made alternative transport arrangements! The Holly Man brings in the green and will join with the Mummers later in the celebrations.
The Bankside Mummers
As the Holly Man brings in the green, the Bankside Mummers will lead the crowd in wassailing, or toasting, the people, The Globe and the River Thames. This tradition is thought to encourage good growth. Once the wassailing has been done, the Mummers will make their way to the Bankside jetty for a freestyle comic folk play. Mummers dressed as characters such as the Turkey Sniper, Clever Legs, the Old ‘Oss and Beelzebub will act out the play, based on the story of St George and the Crusades. Expect plenty of boisterous action!
King Bean and Queen Pea
When the play finishes, cakes will be handed out to the crowd, two of which will transform their recipient into royalty for the night. The person who receives the cake with a bean in it will be crowned King Bean and the recipient of the cake containing a pea will become Queen Pea. Remember not to eat your cake too quickly in case you miss your chance of becoming the VIP of the celebrations!
A Royal Procession
The newly-crowned King Bean and Queen Pea will immediately be launched into their royal duties, leading the audience in a procession through Bankside to Borough High Street. The George Inn will become the venue for the rest of the evening, where festivities will include plenty of dancing, storytelling and The Kissing Wishing Tree.
Admission to all of the Twelfth Night celebrations at Bankside is free of charge.
