Molly Winklers Morris

Rows A – H will be removed for standing. Rows J – O seating as normal.

The Molly Winklers are a new and inclusive Hastings-based Morris side which formed in 2026 as part of the Scene and Heard Festival. Their progressive dance style is based on Molly and Cotswold traditions, creatively blending old collected dances with their own joyfully choreographed moves. Their music swings from trad folk to UK pop bangers as they caper with bells and cavort with beasts.

Grown from the seeds of her vision, Hastings-born musician Bev Lee Harling gathered together some members of the Morris curious local community to connect and explore this dance form, leaning into the ideas and creativity of everyone involved.

This performance will start at Hastings Castle at 7pm and will joyfully process over the West Hill and up the High Street to The Stables Theatre. Audience members are invited to join us at the Castle, or enjoy a drink upstairs at The Stables bar until we arrive around 7.30pm.

We will then continue the show in the main theatre at 7.45pm.

Audience participation is encouraged for those who would like to. Rows A – H will be removed for standing.

For those who would like to enjoy the proceedings without the need for joining in, it is strongly encouraged that you book Rows J-O where seating is available.

This interactive and immersive evening will be a blend of dance, poetry, talks, songs, music and an exhibition all inspired by our journey into discovering the wonderful world of Morris and the connections we have made with other Morris sides.

MAKING LOCAL THEATRE IN HASTINGS

Local Theatres: Participation, Inclusion, Imagination is a national research project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). The project – involving researchers from four universities: Royal Holloway, University of London, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, The University of Sunderland and University of York – is the first major study of local theatres, investigating professional, youth and amateur theatre across England. Part of this research explores the contribution theatres make to their local communities, for example supporting local people in building artistic careers closer to home; and how theatres, theatre companies and makers are telling stories that reimagine local identities and local life.

As part of the research, we are collaborating with The Stables Theatre on their annual Scene & Heard Festival. The theme for Scene & Heard 2026 is ‘Making Local Stories’. The festival will host work made by local theatre makers and companies who responded to our research project’s call – for small stories that uncover, explore, and inspire new imaginaries of life (and theatre-making) in Hastings. We are excited to be working with 1066 Youth Theatre, Hastings Theatre Project, and Bev Lee Harling and the Molly Winklers.

Findings and practical outcomes from the wider project can be found on our website: localtheatres.wordpress.com

Scene and Heard Festival 2026 is in collaboration with and supported by the AHRC funded research project Local Theatres: Participation, Inclusion, Imagination.

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