“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, BMX tricks storytelling, lighting and an uplifting 80s soundtrack, alongside visual projections and animation to reflect Marc’s inner journey and create an immersive experience for 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.
Marc Brew – Concept and Direction Marc Brew – Choreography in collaboration with performers Ross Malloy, Piotr Iwanicki – Performers
Jamie Wardrop– AV Design
Rachel O’Neill – Set & Costume Design
Drew Taylor-Wilson– Dramaturg
Azariah Felton – Composer
Hayley Earlam / Jade Adamson – Rehearsal Director
Nia Wood – Production Manager & Lighting Design Ruari Gordon – Stage & Technical Hand Petre Dobre – Creative Translation
Susan Hay – Executive Producer
Pamela Walker – Producer (Imaginate)
Fi Fraser – Production Manager (Imaginate)
Marion Bourbouze – Marketing and Communications (Imaginate)
Rebecca Doggett – Marketing
Joy Parkinson – PR Melanie WIlson – Access Coordinator Sofie Tait – Marketing and Admin Assistant
14 & 15 May 19:00
Paisley Arts Centre, Paisley
20 May 13:30 & 19:00
Eden Court, Inverness
1, 2, & 3 June
Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, Edinburgh
5 & 6 June
Light the Blue Festival, Aberdeen
7 – 23 August
Assembly @ Dance Base – DB1, Edinburgh
Boys Don’t Dance Research and Development took place in November 2025, with the creative team coming together to develop the commission. This took place at The Work Room, Glasgow.
This film lets us hear from the talented creative team during R&D, on the inspiration and process of Boys Don’t Dance.
Boys Don’t Dance previews this May before its premiere at Edinburgh International Children’s Festival in June. It then travels to Light the Blue Festival in Aberdeen.
We welcomed Jay Whitehead into the Research and Development process through a traineeship. As a company we were keen to nurture Jay’s growing potential as a professional dancer, and help him gain experience of a creative process.
Jay was kind enough to explain how this experience has helped him grow as a young disabled artist. Hayley, our engagement manager, also explains why we chose to have a trainee and how important opportunities like this are for emerging young artists. Thanks for joining us Jay!
Commissioned by Imaginate in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts, supported by OneRen.
Supported by the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund, development funded by Creative Scotland.
Please contact our Producer Susan Hay for more information.
