Absolutely- see the oberamergau passion play tradition in the 20th century.
I added these in the early stages of wassail epicenter development. Actually before the grand project evolved we came up with our own ritual-not actually having much to do with wassail then we merged with more and more research creating a highly accurate traditional observance that it is today. (I have no problem adding slowly and gradually to the tradition but the requirement is that the early and well researched songs and customs dominate.)

In addition to mummer's plays one sees through time and merging here and there with the first night masque traditions the evolution of the christmas pageant which became quite essential for all elementary schools in the USA by the 50s.

I relate the appearance of drama in association with wassail to the liberation of the muses of the participants. Take a group of men add alcohol to the required level (remember never drunk and disorderly but it will take more than one) and one gets sillyness and drama. This tradition goes way back in the english tradition. Wassail is all about alcohol and that can not be disputed ever no way no how. Watch for my book.

Wassail traditions wax and wane through time. One of the biggest problems to hit it was the development of craft specialization. Villages would produce one select group- troupe- of wassailers and as in the mumming tradition this became exclusive and almost hereditary. This is more the case in villages and more urban areas whereas in the most rural places it was more open to anyone who turned up. Occasionally this was in large numbers. There were keepers of songs though but it was more a group activity. Specialization comes from the first night tradition and the masque which produced court or manor sponsored groups of players and was by nature more exclusive. The staff of the manor or big house would of course take part but it was far from a community act.

Nothing wrong with specialization but it does make survivability much more precarious. Disease and warfare would take out the one group of players, wassailers in one blow leaving the wassail bowls rotting in the barn to be rediscovered. This is one of my motivations to encourage the break up of specialization and the widening of the potential audience and pool of performers. If it is the choice between loosing the music and less than perfect performance that preserves the music I go with the latter.

I have opened my work to all wassail manefestations in the british isles. Some call these visiting customs however sometimes people dont go anywhere but still do wassail.....Therefore the Bull and Mari are included.

My encounter with the bull comes from tetbury tradition which is recorded in the Carpenter collection at the library of congress where I have worked.

One of the interesting things about bringing things around with the wassailers is that they fit right in with the tendency of groups of men and perhaps women to become animated by their muses. I myself have often found myself in groups of men walking back from a night out or on drinking excursions walking the power lines or rails who without any ancient tradition to draw on pick up found items and act out. That this has happened in the past and become institutionalized is easy to understand. But this is not something that most people will do without a bit of liberation libation.

Conrad