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Boys Don't Dance

“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.  

creative team

Marc Brew – Concept, Direction and Choreography in collaboration with performers      
Ross Malloy – Performer (young boy) 
Piotr Iwanicki – Performer (older boy) 
Jay Whitehead – Trainee/ Understudy Performer 
Vicki Brew – Voice of Mum  
Hayley Earlam / Jade Adamson – Rehearsal Director 
Azariah Felton – Composer 
Rachel O’Neill – Set & Costume Design 
Jamie Wardrop– AV Design 
Drew Taylor-Wilson – Dramaturg 
Nia Wood – Production Manager & Lighting Design                                                                              
Ruari Gordon – Stage & Technical Hand           
Sam Martin-Randerson – Studio Engineer / QLab Designer
Jamie Bradley Hay – Stage Manager
Petre Dobre – Creative Translation 
Yvonne Strain – BSL Collaborator 
Emma Jane McHenry – Audio Description 
Susan Hay – Executive Producer 
Pamela Walker – Imaginate Producer 
Fi Fraser – Imaginate Production Manager  
Hayley Earlam – Engagement Manager 
Neil Morrison – BMX Coach 
Big House Events – Set Build 
Marion Bourbouze – Imaginate Marketing and Communications 
Rebecca Doggett – Marketing  
Joy Parkinson – PR                         
Melanie Wilson – Access Coordinator
Sofie Tait  – Marketing and Admin Assistant 

2026 tour dates

7 – 23 August @ 13:15
Assembly @ Dance Base – DB1, Edinburgh (excluding Mondays)

Assembly Festival logo and website assemblyfestival.com and book now in red text on white, in winged box.

past tour dates 2026

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

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

read our social story

We are delighted that Boys Don’t Dance has been longlisted  for The List’s Festival Awards 2026 for Best Kids Show! 

We are so proud to receive this recognition along with such an amazing line up of work at this year’s Fringe. 

Please browse our selection of merchandise inspired by our shows and our values. Every purchase helps support the company to continue making ground breaking performance and improving representation for disabled artists. Our current range is inspired by the imagery and provocations from our new show Boys Don’t Dance.

shop our merchandise
A dancer is on a dark stage, with a spotlight on him. Hw is wearing a checkered shirt and denim shorts. He is standing on a wooden ramp. He has one hand on his hip and another is pushing up to the sky.

Boys Don’t Dance Community Call Out

We’re asking you…our community….to celebrate the joy and power of dance, by sharing films of your dancing with us.

Boys Don’t Dance is a new show from Marc Brew Company celebrating individuality and the liberating power of dance. It encourages audiences to embrace their unique passions and find strength in their differences.

There are no special moves or routine, we just want you to show us how much you love to dance, inspired by the music from the show, which is influenced by 80s music.

Read More »

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! 

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 previewed in May before its premiere at Edinburgh International Children’s Festival in June. It then travelled to Light the Blue Festival in Aberdeen.

Boys Don’t Dance by Marc Brew, announced as Edinburgh International Children’s Festival‘s new 2026 commission as part of an increased focus on disabled-led work.

This work is commissioned by Imaginate in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts and supported by the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund.

“All I wanted to do was dance but I was told “boys don’t dance” – Marc Brew 

ScotsGay ArtsBrett Herriot
★★★★★ “This production is an outstanding example of making a show accessible to as many people as possible.”
Everything TheatreMary Pollard
★★★★ “This is a tale of bravery and risk taking, demonstrated not only through emotional strength but incredible physical ability and meticulous performances.”
Corr BlimeyDominic Corr
★★★★ “Brew’s commitment to inclusive practice is not an adjunct to the work; it is embedded within it, shaping both its form and its impact”
Quintessential ReviewWill Quinn
★★★★ “Performers Ross Malloy and Piotr Iwanicki are sensational. Their fizzy chemistry lends the piece enormous heart and boundless energy”
All Edinburgh TheatreSophie Good
★★★★ “Joyous…Beautifully told tale of rural isolation, about a boy who just wants to dance”
The ScotsmanJoyce McMillan
★★★★ “Ross Malloy as the younger boy is simply a joy to watch, Piotr Iwanicki as his older self demonstrates magni-ficently how the beauty and expressiveness of movement speaks for itself, "
The List Lucy Ribchester
“On wheels they are exhilarating together, spinning to 80s hits.”
Fjord ReviewLorna Irvine
“Brew's choreography is elegant, often acrobatic , electrifying and full of restless spirit.”
The GuardianLyndsey Winship
★★★★ ‘Feelgood coming of-age story [with] a sunny mix of disco, jazz, acro-moves and fizzing energy’
The HeraldMary Brennan
★★★★ 'Boys Don’t Dance is a brilliantly vivid, entertaining and ultimately affecting piece of dance for young ‘uns and adults alike. But it also embraces meaningful ideas about personal identity, social attitudes to difference and disability, and the transformative power of valiant self-belief. An uplifting joy to watch.'
The ListKelly Apter
★★★★ 'Deeply moving and wonderfully optimistic ... a bundle of joy.'
The Wee ReviewClaire Wood
★★★★ ‘Marc Brew‘s choreography is vibrant, precise, urban, defiant, and lyrical. Both dancers exude an infectious charisma and their solos drip with wistful yearning. But the energy is turbo-charged when Iwanicki and Malloy dance together in an inventive duet that will snatch your heartstrings out of your chest. Boys Don't Dance reminds us with exuberant joy that dance is for everyone.'
Fest MagMegan Wallace
★★★★ ‘Innovative [and] powerful.'
Theatre WeeklyRachel Barlow
★★★★ ‘A performance that champions and celebrates differences [with] creative choreography in abundance.'

funders & supporters

Commissioned by Imaginate in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts, with support from OneRen. Creative Scotland, the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund, Culture and Business Scotland and Silicon Reef. Part of the Made in Scotland Showcase at Edinburgh Fringe 2026. 

Image of multiple Logos of Funders and Partners with this commission. Aberdeen Performing Arts, Imaginate, Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, Scottish Government, The City of Edinburgh Council and Creative Scotland Logo’s are present.

Please contact our Producer Susan Hay for more information.

Susan Hay

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