Thank you for your interest in this story
To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
12
Oct
The Yorkshire dance troupe fusing belly dancing and folk music
Yorkshire and belly dancing - not two words you'd often find so close together.
If you’re not in the know, you’d be forgiven for not knowing that Egyptian belly dancing, steampunk festivals and a thriving folk scene are a niche part of the region's cultural offering.
Residents to Harrogate and the surrounding area who attended Masham Sheep Fair or Ripon Theatre Festival this year may very well have witnessed this unusual pairing in action.
Decked out in a now-trademark eclectic style, dance troupe 400 Roses and T’Thorns has brought its unique blend of folk dancing and tribal belly dance moves to many of the district's festivals throughout the summer months.
Member Clare Brear proudly declares: ‘there’s really nobody else like us’ and she’s certainly got a strong case for proving that true – as the troupe’s 20th anniversary approaches, the Stray Ferret went to find out more.
An evolution of dance styles
First formed in 2005, 400 Roses’ unique style of dance and dress wasn’t an overnight choice, but rather a gradual evolution.
Debbie Berry, one of the original members, explained:
Many of the members come from a background of belly dancing, but the original founder wanted to explore different forms of movement.
But it wasn’t until we started getting invited to folk festivals that we came across Morris troupes and the whole thing evolved from there.
We used to dance to pre-recorded music but the Morris dancing community frown upon that, so we had to get a band.
Both Clare and Debbie had a passion for dance and had joined Egyptian and tribal belly dancing groups respectively as a form of exercise, but were taken with the idea of exploring a 'fusion of styles'.
(Image: 400 Roses & T'Thorns)
When they joined, 400 Roses was 'invite-only' and while training is still required to master the moves before a dancer can perform live, membership is much more open today.
This doesn’t mean that practise isn’t taken very seriously; the group and the band meet every Saturday morning in Shipley for two hours, to learn and perfect routines and musical scores.
Dances follow original choreography, and the band plays their own mash-up of folk songs, woven together to showcase the different genres.
The ‘400 Roses’ is in reference to the red and white silk roses that adorn their costumes, representing the group’s Yorkshire and Lancashire roots. These are made by members of the group, and everyone is encouraged to put unique touches to their outfits.
The live band is 'T’Thorns’, consisting of three melodeon players, a guitarist, drummers and even a mandolin player. Clare estimates they have currently have 17 members, including eight musicians.
While by no means a full-time occupation, many weekends are taken up by performing in peak festival season.
Initial resistance
The pair both acknowledge that this fusion of dance styles wasn’t always met with enthusiasm, especially in some Morris dancing circles, which regard innovation as breaking age-old traditions that they’re trying to preserve.
Debbie said:
We did come up against some opposition, especially when we started attending folk festivals.
But I think we’ve won people over – we try to present ourselves professionally, but we also look like we’re enjoying ourselves which I think is hard to resist.
They [Morris dancing groups] are very keen on lines, and we’re always getting complimented on how straight ours are.
Once a male-only performance art, some Morris groups still don’t allow women to join – so the sight of a predominately female group can cause dismay amongst the traditionalists, although Clare feels that they are largely accepted now.
She added:
We were performing at Masham Sheep Fair recently, and this old Morris man came up and said to us: 'I came to watch because I wanted to not like what you were doing but I was really impressed'.
We were really proud of that because when some of these traditional groups see us initially they might write us off.
Today, 400 Roses is a firm fixture of Yorkshire’s spring/summer festival scene, having previously performed at Ripon Theatre Festival, Otley Folk Festival and Saltaire Festival.
The troupe has even been adopted into the steampunk scene, which initially came as surprise.
Debbie and Clare believe it’s due to their costumes, which unintendedly reflect similar attributes to the style - namely the nod to a gothic and Victoriana inspired aesthetic – and now the group are annual performers at Haworth Steampunk Weekend.
(Image: 400 Roses & T'Thorns)
'It should be prescribed'
Not only do they extol the physical benefits of dance, but Debbie and Clare are passionate about the positive boost that being part of the group has on their mental health.
Debbie explained:
Dancing is good for body and soul, but this style of dancing especially is all about community and being a collective.
We do really support each other. We’ve all been through difficult periods in our lives, but we’re all there for each other. It’s just fantastic for it, honestly. It should be prescribed.
With the festival season now over, 400 Roses & T'Thorns will be returning to the drawing board and choregraphing new routines to learn for 2025.
(Image: 400 Roses & T'Thorns)
It's also peak time for new members to learn the ropes, and the pair hope to soon see some new starters joining.
Next year promises to be a seminal one; 400 Roses will be celebrating its 20th anniversary, and while plans are still in progress as to how the group will mark the occasion, one thing is guaranteed – the celebration will be in fitting with the group unique style.
0