Founded in 1984, Black Dog Molly is a team of male and female Morris dancers and musicians based in Stoke-on-Trent.

Molly dancing is the earthy unsophisticated style of Morris dancing, native to East Anglia and the Fens. Black Dog Molly is one of the few sides in the country to specialise in this exciting style that has been described as both “Morris dancing with a difference” and “Morris with attitude”. It has also been likened to a cross between a country-dance and a drunken brawl!

Molly dances were traditionally performed on Plough Monday, the first Monday after Epiphany. The dancers would drag a plough to the local landowner’s house and dance outside. They would then demand money and threaten to plough up his front lawn if no money was forthcoming. They had a “Royal Charter”, which permitted them to do this. Of course no one has ever seen this Charter, but it exists none-the-less!

As many of the dancers were actually employed by the landowners, they obviously did not wish to be recognised, so they would blacken their faces with soot and decorate their “Sunday Best” clothes with ribbons and scarves by way of a disguise.

“Did you see those Molly Dancers on Monday good fellow?” “Oh aye, that I did Sir.” “Tell me then good fellow, what were their names that I might report their disgraceful antics to the Reed and Minister.” “I’m sorry good Master, but I can’t do that for their faces were all black and I knew not a one of them.”

The evidence of early dance collectors shows that some traditional Molly sides blacked their faces. (Blacking is still found in some other Morris traditions.) The origin of blacking up is shrouded in the mists of time and there are many theories concerning its meaning. Some centre around its magical significance and the ability of the dancers to scare evil spirits away from the fields before ploughing, thus ensuring a good Harvest. We however prefer to subscribe to the theory of disguise. Whatever its origin, it has no racist connotations. Black Dog Molly sometimes break with tradition and wear black and white make-up, dividing the face vertically. This is to signify the night the pedigree black dogs ran rampage and the mongrel, black and white offspring were the result!

Black Dog Molly perform in black trousers or skirts and waistcoats, white collarless shirts, black caps and heavy boots (Traditional Sunday Best) Each individual member is then free to “disguise” their outfit with the addition of multi-coloured scarves, flowers and badges. We also wear the traditional “rag jacket”, an essential item for those bookings early or late in the season.

Although we have some stick dances in our repertoire, most Molly dances are performed without sticks. (We don’t do hankies or bells either!) The Molly Special is traditionally performed with large handkerchiefs tied together. This is danced uniquely, by us, with ropes. As there have been few Molly dances ever written down, we perform dances borrowed from other traditions and make up some of our own.

Asked why we Molly dance, we can all give different reasons; extreme exhibitionism; a desire to amuse and entertain; to keep the tradition of our ancestors alive – but perhaps it is just terminal lunacy or a combination of any of the above!! Without doubt, we all agree that it is extremely good fun!!!