“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.
Performed by a talented cast of wheelchair and non-wheelchair dancers, combining movement with BMX, storytelling, lighting and an uplifting 80s soundtrack – alongside visual projections and animation to create an immersive audience experience.
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.
Each performance is relaxed and includes creative captioning and audio description, with creative translation of signed performances.
Concept and Direction – Marc Brew
Choreography – Marc Brew in collaboration with the performers
Performer – Ross Malloy
Performer – Piotr Iwanicki
Rehearsal Director – Hayley Earlam / Jade Adamson
Composer – Azariah Felton
Set and Costume Design – Rachel O’Neill
AV Designer – Jamie Wardrop
Dramaturg – Drew Taylor-Wilson
Production Manager and Lighting Designer – Nia Wood
Production Manager (Imaginate) – Fi Fraser
Stage and Technical Hand – Ruari Gordon
Creative Translation – Petre Dobre
BSL Collaborator – Yvonne Strain
Audio Description – Emma Jane McHenry
Trainee/Understudy Performer – Jay Whitehead
BMX Coach – Neil Morrison
Set Build – Big House Events
Executive Producer – Susan Hay
Producer (Imaginate) – Pamela Walker
Engagement Manager – Hayley Earlam
Marketing and Communications (Imaginate) – Marion Bourbouze
Marketing – Rebecca Doggett
PR – Joy Parkinson
Marketing and Admin Assistant – Sofie Tait
Access Coordinator – Melanie Wilson
14 & 15 May 19:00
Paisley Arts Centre, Paisley – book now!
20 May 13:30 & 19:00
Eden Court, Inverness – book now!
1, 2, & 3 June
Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, Edinburgh – book now!
5 & 6 June
Light the Blue Festival, Aberdeen – book now!
7 – 23 August
Assembly @ Dance Base – DB1, Edinburgh – book now!
This social story tells you about Marc Brew Company’s show Boys Don’t Dance. This social story can be used to help prepare you before attending the show. If you would like more information, please contact Hayley – Engagement Manger on engagement@marcbrew.com
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.
