Medieval

Mummers  plays have their origins in pagan winter solstice rituals depicting death and rebirth. Bands of villagers would perform their Mummers plays in return for food or money, Mummers plays had loose plots with plenty of scope for ad-libs and the introduction of strange characters as suited the occasion. There was always a battle between light and darkness (or good and evil). The disguised performers wore masks (the name ‘mummer’s play’ may come from the Greek word for mask) and originally there would have been a silent performance (from the middle-English word ‘mum’ meaning silent) often including a Morris Dance.

via cruisingslowly.blogspot.com