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History
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Our audiences sometimes say “I DIDN’T THINK WOMEN DID IT”
One of the early references to women dancing the morris in this country appeared in 1599 when: “a mayde not passing fourteen years of age” joined William Kemp in his morris jig from London to Norwich.
The tradition of morris dancing continued in villages around this country with a major revival in the early 1900’s. This was inspired by Mary Neal, a social reformer and suffragette, who’s interest in the dances was to provide “healthy activities” for the young working women in her London based Esperance Club. The Esperance girls were taught by traditional dancers and then became teachers themselves.
Such was the enthusiasm that for a few years the “morris” was being taught in schools and colleges throughout the country.
Today, morris dancing is performed for your entertainment, our enjoyment and their memory.
WHO WAS BLACK ANNIS?
Black Annis is said to have been a witch who lived in the Dane Hills area of Leicester. She resided in a bower and had a reputation for luring children to her lair, devouring their flesh and bones then hanging their skins out to dry. Our inspiration came from a poem found in the local library:
"Where down the plains the winding pathway falls,
From Glenfieldvlille to Leicester’s ancient walls,
Nature, or art with imitative power
Far in the glen hath placed Black Annis’ bower
Yea, though the false truth of former days
Foul not the path where falsehood artful lay
Black Annis held her solitary reign
The dread and wonder of the neighbouring plain
Tis said the soul of mortal man recoiled
To view Black Annis eye so fierce and wild
Vast talons foul with human flesh there grew
And features livid blue glared in her visage
Whilst her obscene waist,
warm skins of human victims close embraced.
JOHN HEYRICK 1742-97
Each year on midsummers eve, we dance on top of Black Annis’ bower at a secret location in the Western Park area of the city. Leicester’s most famous witch lives on!
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