Boys Don’t Dance (EICF)
★★★★☆ Joyous
Traverse: Mon 1 – Wed 3 Jun 2026
Review by Sophie Good
Boys Don’t Dance, by disabled dance artist and choreographer Marc Brew, is a beautifully told tale of rural isolation, about a boy who just wants to dance. Imaginate’s lead commission for this years EICF, it will return for the Fringe.
A soundtrack of electro 80s classics that just make you want to move; an Australian childhood of Paul Hogan voiced adverts; a culture that means who have to hide who you are inside. These are some of the key themes for Brew’s superbly executed and poignant exploration of embracing movement and self identity.
Ross Malloy in Boys Don’t Dance. Pic: Brian Hartley
Ross Malloy plays a BMX wielding, seemingly happy go lucky young boy who, it appears, is trapped inside a traditional community who don’t allow him to express himself. He is happiest escaping inside to the tunes on his Walkman and dancing – the choreography from Brew is simply joyful throughout. It’s hard to stay in your seat, and a few young ones simply couldn’t.
The design from Rachel O’Neill is uncomplicated but provides enough space – and a platform, to serve the movement well. Jamie Wardrop’s animations, Nia Wood’s lighting and composer Azariah Felton’s sound track, all help create an engaging experience that draws you through the journey.
The storytelling is simple on some levels, but gets more complex as it attempts to show some key events in the young boy’s life. Drew Taylor-Wilson’s dramaturgy helps to keep this moving. The change of mood from light to dark is clear and the larger themes of the piece, about self expression, being yourself, and being who you want to be, are communicated well.
Piotr Iwanicki and Ross Malloy in Boys Don’t Dance. Pic: Brian Hartley
That said, our young reviewer did occasionally find it difficult to follow what was going on – although that might not be hugely important, if your young person is happy to interpret without a definitive narrative.
What our young reviewer really did enjoy was the movement; the joy of dancing and movement translates well to a large audience. Marc Brew’s company champion collaboration between disabled and non-disabled artists and the duets between Molloy and disabled dancer Piotr Iwanicki are a real highlight. The inventiveness and synergy is incredible to watch and extraordinary to witness.
This is a truly inclusive arts organisation who seem to have thought of every way possible to ensure everyone can enjoy this piece. From an animated crow at the beginning who talks you through some of the ‘moments’ coming up to the VR design of the set that you can explore before the show, this is a company who have put their audience at the heart of what matters.
Boys Don’t Dance is commissioned in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts and is already scheduled to be part of the Made in Scotland showcase at this year’s Fringe, when it will play at Assembly @ Dance Base.
What ever its future life, Boys Don’t Dance will surely be enjoyed as a beautiful and moving dance piece by children and adults alike.
Running time: One hour (no interval).
Traverse, 10 Cambridge Street, EH1 2ED.
Mon 1 – Wed 3 June 2026.
Mon: 12.30pm, 7pm; Tue: 10.15am, 1.15pm; Wed: 10.15am, 1pm.
Tickets and details: Book here.
The Lemon Tree, 5 W N St, Aberdeen AB24 5AT
Saturday 6 June 2026
One performance: 1pm.
Tickets and details: Book here.
Assembly @ Dance Base (DB1), 14-16 Grassmarket EH1 2JU. (Venue 22a).
Fri 7 – Sun 23 August 2026.
Daily (not Mon): 1.15pm.
Tickets and details: Book here on EdFringe.com.
Book here on assemblyfestival.com.
Piotr Iwanicki and Ross Malloy in Boys Don’t Dance. Pic: Brian Hartley
ENDS
