“All I wanted to do was dance but I was told “boys don’t dance”
Boys Don’t Dance is a poignant dance theatre show by Marc Brew, reflecting on his journey as a boy who defied society’s expectations to embrace his love for dance. The performance unfolds through a tapestry of memories, shedding light on the loneliness of being the only boy in a rural Australian town who dared to dance.
The production will combine movement, storytelling, lighting and an uplifting sound track, alongside visual projections and animation to reflect Marc’s inner journey and create an immersive experience for young audiences.
Boys Don’t Dance celebrates individuality and the liberating power of dance, encouraging audiences to embrace their unique passions and find strength in their differences. It follows Marc Brew’s internationally acclaimed and award-nominated dance theatre piece an Accident / a Life that shares his lived experience of being a dancer who acquired a disability.
Creative Team
Marc Brew – Choreographer Ross Malloy, Piotr Iwanicki – Dancers
Jamie Wardrop– Visuals
Rachel O’Neill – Design
Drew Taylor-Wilson– Dramaturg
Azariah Felton – Composer
Hayley Earlam / Jade Adamson – Rehearsal Director
Fi Fraser – Production Manager (imaginate)
Susan Hay – Executive Producer
Pamela Walker – Producer (imaginate)
Rebecca Doggett – Marketing
Joy Parkinson – PR
Sofie Tait – Marketing and Admin Assistant
Friday 13 February
Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
15 & 16 May
Johnstone Town Hall, Johnstone
19 & 20 May
Eden Court, Inverness
1, 2, & 3 June
Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, Edinburgh
5 & 6 June
Light the Blue Festival, Aberdeen
Research and Development
Boys Don’t Dance Research and Development will begin November 2025, with the creative team coming together to develop the commission. This is taking place at The Work Room, Glasgow.
Light the Blue 2026: Boys Don’t Dance Call-Out Aberdeen Performing Arts
Aberdeen Performing Arts in association with Marc Brew Company are looking for disabled* and non-disabled dance artists based in North East Scotland to lead on a participatory project with young people.
The project will involve two lead dance artists working with a group of young disabled and non-disabled participants to create a short piece inspired by Marc Brew Company’s Boys Don’t Dance, which will be performed as a curtain raiser during the show’s run at Light the Blue Festival.
Find Out More and Apply Here.
Commissioned by Imaginate in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts.
Supported by the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund, development funded by Creative Scotland.
Please contact our Producer Susan Hay for more information.
