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A Cotswold Morris side from South Devon

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Brutus event, Totnes

Saturday, 25 June, 2022 - 10:00

On June 25, 2022 Dartington Morris together with Dartington Playgoers created a colourful event celebrating the Amazing Adventures of Brutus – the legend of Brutus who is credited with the founding of Totnes, London and ultimately Britain.

Starting at 10am on Vire Island and processing up the High Street, the troupes performed two short versions of the legend, complete with fighting giants, storms at sea and The Supremes as sirens, in the delightful grounds of St Mary’s Church in Totnes, at 11.30am.

Stephen Holley, Foreman of Dartington Morris and the initiator of this FREE fun family event comments said:

“We would like to encourage the local community to come together in celebrating the legend that gave their town its name, and we are delighted to be working with Dartington Playgoers and local schools to put on this inaugural event. We hope this pageant becomes an annual fun day of celebration for the town,” he says.

The Playgoers and Morris dancers have created two street theatre versions of the story presented in their own unique ways and there will also be a folk song recounting the deeds of Brutus, and a procession with dancing in the streets of Totnes.

“We want to encourage the community to actively participate in the procession and dancing and for a week the Brutus Stone will be decorated, the design and decoration to be undertaken by a local school, with help and direction from an artist. The procession will also stop at the ancient Guildhall where the Mayor and other dignitaries will be presented with a carved replica of the Totnes and City of London coats of arms,” continues Stephen.

Everyone was encouraged to join in the procession, starting at Vire Island at 10am, wearing something red, white or blue and bringing something to bang and clash so they could join in with the free fun! 

Further information is available from lucy.matthews@mac.com.

Event calendar

Date Event
31 March - 8:00pm Morris practice
7 April - 8:00pm Morris practice
14 April - 8:00pm Morris practice
22 April - 10:00am King John's Morris Day of Dance
22 April - 10:00am JMO Day of Dance, Exeter
28 April - 8:00pm Final Morris practice before May Day

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