The Untold

Darkie Day: Michael and the Mummers


Listen Later

Grace Dent presents untold stories of 21st century Britain. Young black film director Michael Jenkins is making a film about Padstow's Darkie Day. It's a long standing tradition where local residents black up their faces and process through the streets singing and dancing. The locals are defensive about their celebration which is part of their Cornish identity. Despite what outsiders think they say it has no racial overtones, but they did change the name to Mummers Day after complaints prompted MP Diane Abbott to call for the festival to be stopped. As a young Black British man Michael wants to experience it for himself and capture it on film. Will any of the town's residents accept his invitation to sit down and have an honest conversation with him about Darkie Day's origins and meaning? Is political correctness making it worse? This is a story where modern Britain meets medieval history in a clash of cultures.

Producer: Maggie Ayre.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The UntoldBy BBC Radio 4

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

27 ratings


More shows like The Untold

View all
Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,639 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,046 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,520 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,799 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,763 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,049 Listeners

F1: Chequered Flag by BBC Radio 5 Live

F1: Chequered Flag

759 Listeners

Victoria Derbyshire's Interviews of the Week by BBC Radio 5 Live

Victoria Derbyshire's Interviews of the Week

1 Listeners

Illuminating Anorexia & Eating Disorder Recovery by Michelle Sparkes

Illuminating Anorexia & Eating Disorder Recovery

13 Listeners

I'm Absolutely Fine! by The Midult by The Midult

I'm Absolutely Fine! by The Midult

29 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,177 Listeners

Americast by BBC News

Americast

720 Listeners

Anorexia Nerviosa by Heidi Ruiz

Anorexia Nerviosa

0 Listeners

Cyber Hack by BBC World Service

Cyber Hack

1,599 Listeners

Recovering with Danie | Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast by Danie van Kay | Licensed eating disorder recovery coach

Recovering with Danie | Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast

20 Listeners