Molly

Molly Dancing

Molly dancing originated in the East Anglian region of Britain, although it is now danced in other areas too. It was performed by men dressed in embellished working clothes, often with one man dressed as a woman - The Molly. The dancers often attempted some sort of disguise, either masks or darkening their faces with soot. The dances were often performed at events associated with farm workers, such as Plough Monday. The choreography was based on local social dances - dances everyone knew, so it wasn't necessary for extensive rehearsal. The form was revived in the late twentieth century and has evolved to include brightly coloured costumes, complex choreography and often face paint of varying designs and colours.