THAT'S ALL FOLK

Far from being stuck in the past, Britain's rich history of folk traditions remain ever present and continue to be adapted in creative ways

Words: JULIAN OWEN

MORRIS Founded in 2015, the all-female Boss Morris are not simply remaking a male-dominated form, but also raising the profile of Morris dancing itself (see The Simple Things, July 2020). Witness, for example, their recent performance accompanying the band Wet Leg at The Brit Awards. As Oli explains, their extraordinary costumes are not so much titivating the standard white shirts/black trousers costume as taking it back to its highfalutin medieval roots: “Morris dancing would've been this expensive and elaborate courtly entertainment enjoyed by the upper classes, with lavish and expensive costumes. Eventually, people just customised their everyday workwear.” For centuries it's been going on. Generation upon generation of everyday people in exceptional outfits. The farm hand dispensing with smock and breeches to be draped head to toe in straw before leading the…

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The Simple Things (Digital) - 1 Issue, May 2023

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