Boys Don't Dance
Boys Don't Dance is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Assembly @ Dance Base. It has 15 performances listed, running from Fri 7 Aug, 13:15 to Sun 23 Aug, 13:15. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
Boys Don't Dance is a poignant dance theatre show by acclaimed disabled artist Marc Brew, reflecting on his lifelong journey defying societal expectations to embrace his love for dance. Combining movement with BMX and wheels, storytelling, lighting and an uplifting 80s soundtrack – alongside visual projections and animation, creating an immersive experience for audiences. 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. Commissioned by Imaginate and Aberdeen Performing Arts, supported by OneRen. MadeInScotlandShowcase.com. Longlisted: The List Festival Awards 2026 Best Kids.
Details
- Venue: Assembly @ Dance Base
- Space: DB1
- Genre: CHILDRENS_SHOWS, Dance, Physical theatre
- Country: UNITED KINGDOM - SCOTLAND
- Running time: 60 minutes
- Room size: about 72 seats (DB1) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
- Performances listed: 15, of which 0 still to come and on sale
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access: lift
- Access features: Step-free access, Accessible toilet, Hearing loop, Audio described performances, Captioned performances, Relaxed performances, BSL signed performances
- Venue notes: Accessible entry: Lift from street entrance to first floor Wheelchair access type:Lift (Building Lift) Stairs: None Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above.
What the reviewers said
We have captured 8 published reviews and 7 audience reviews for this show from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s own listing. The excerpts below are the reviewers’ words, not ours — follow each link for the full review.
Boys Don’t Dance is an uplifting performance about a boy’s journey of self acceptance and his love for dance. Boys Don’t Dance is a special show made even more so by its efforts to be as inclusive as possible.
— EdFestMag (3 out of 5 stars)
Boys Don’t Dance is exactly the kind of joyous show you hope to find at a festival. Marc Brew adapts his own story for young audiences, blending dance, BMX, and wheelchair choreography into a slick, energetic hour full…
Director/Choreographer Marc Brew’s breathtaking coming of age story Boy’s Don’t Dance at Assembly @ Dance Base is anti-venom for toxic masculinity, tracking the early life of a boy as he develops his sense of self…
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Fri 7 Aug, 13:15 — Already performed — £15.50
- Sat 8 Aug, 13:15 — Already performed — £15.50
- Sun 9 Aug, 13:15 — Already performed — £15.50
- Tue 11 Aug, 13:15 — Already performed — £15.50
- Wed 12 Aug, 13:15 — Already performed — £14.00
- Thu 13 Aug, 13:15 — Already performed — £14.00
- Fri 14 Aug, 13:15 — Already performed — £15.50
- Sat 15 Aug, 13:15 — Already performed — £15.50
- Sun 16 Aug, 13:15 — Already performed — £15.50
- Tue 18 Aug, 13:15 — Already performed — £14.00
- Wed 19 Aug, 13:15 — Already performed — £14.00
- Thu 20 Aug, 13:15 — Already performed — £14.00
- Fri 21 Aug, 13:15 — Already performed — £15.50
- Sat 22 Aug, 13:15 — Already performed — £15.50
- Sun 23 Aug, 13:15 — Already performed — £15.50