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THE Fool of the traditional Morris Dance,
Sword Dance and Folk Play still found in
parts of England & on the Continent, was
not always a fool. It could well have been
because earlier beliefs were driven under-
ground that he thought fit to dress and be-
have as he did. Thus by appearing to make
fun of what he held sacred, supported by
characters who often disguised not only
their faces but their real names and funct-
ions, something of his message was able
magically to survive. Not that the modern
Morris Fool is necessarily aware of this
interpretation or that he would accept it
if he were.
The Morris/Sword Dance & Mummers'
Play of Today offer simply a spectacle of
dance skill with comic relief, and comic
drama. The former differs from true folk
dancing though it may now be regarded as

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