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For many, the English tradition of Morris dancing may evoke images of predominantly male performers with jingling bells and handkerchiefs. However, for Molly No-Mates, a Bristol-based Morris side, the tradition has been given a new spin. Co-founded by Scarlett Hutchin, who was looking for a queer-friendly alternative for protests, the team is made up of young drag kings and gender non-conforming performers who dance in “chimney sweep” outfits. Last year, Stroud-based Boss Morris also brought the tradition to the Brit Awards stage, dancing alongside Wet Leg.
Morris dancing, which takes a variety of styles depending on its origins, has also seen significant changes in participation demographics. The 2023 Morris Census revealed that men no longer made up the majority of Morris dancers in the UK and had declined from 54% in 2014 to 49.4% in 2023. During this period, the proportion of female members increased from 46% in 2014 to 50.6% in 2023. In 2020, the census introduced a question about the number of “non-binary/other” members, making up an estimated 0.8% of UK sides’ members in 2023.
Molly No-Mates initially had two members in May 2023, but now boasts a total of ten performers who are 80% non-binary or gender non-conforming. According to Scarlett Hutchin, the group aims to bring more queer visibility to spaces that don’t necessarily have it, and their dances feature feminist, queer, and leftist themes. While Molly dancing traditionally included cross-dressing performers who would compete for the best-dressed “Moll,” the term “molly” was previously used as an offensive word targeting gay men or men carrying out tasks considered as women’s work.
Despite its evolving nature, traditional Morris dance organisations are embracing the changes, with The Morris Federation, The Morris Ring, and Open Morris forming the Joint Morris Organisations. The Morris Ring’s current Squire, Nigel Strudwick, welcomes new Morris teams that cater to those who may not have thought of Morris dancing as an option, saying: “Long may this continue.”
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