Rhubarb Tarts — Origins

Molly dancing

Molly dancing originated in East Anglia and the Fens and was, traditionally, a dance of midwinter — a time when no sane person dances outside.

It's a cadging tradition associated with Plough Monday, when plough boys would drag a plough around local villages cadging money or, at least, a drink.

The dances were social dances of the area and the time, and the dancers disguised themselves in weird clothing or by cross-dressing, and blacking-up their faces.

Rhubarb Triangle

Much further north than the Fens is the Wakefield–Rothwell–Morley Rhubarb Triangle. There, during the dark months of the year, strange things happen in low, shadowy forcing sheds.

In the warmth of the sheds the air is filled with the sound of the buds popping open and developing into stalks — by candlelight the glorious ruby stems burst into life.

Rhubarb Tarts

Conceived in the Rhubarb Triangle, nurtured in Bridgnorth (in 2004, by Flash Company's workshop), and inspired by their East Anglian cousins (Ouse Washes and Gog Magog), Rhubarb Tarts were born of enthusiasm and a love of dancing.

Find out where Rhubarb Tarts are dancing: visit their gigs page.