Wig Waltz is a pop-up dance performance featuring two high-society regency-esque aristocrats preparing for an exquisite ball. Dressed in extravagant wigs and ornate costumes, they move with elegance and sophistication but all is not as it seems. As the performance unfolds, their appearances begin to shift. Costumes unravel, identities dismantle and the perfect façade begins to fall away. What starts as a display of refinement turns into a disruption of tradition, challenging expectations around gender, class and identity. Wig Waltz invites audiences to reflect on the societal roles we’re told to play and celebrates the beauty of embracing who we truly are with humour, movement and lots of wig drama!
Wig Waltz by Dan Brown & Minnie Crook was commissioned by and co-created with Forthview Primary School as part of our Creative Encounters project. Wig Waltz was first presented at the North Edinburgh Community Festival (17 May 2025) and the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival Family Day (24 May 2025).
Creative Team:
- Dan Brown - Co-Lead Artist
- Minnie Crook - Co-Lead Artist
- Cleo Rose McCabe - Costume Designers
- Nadia Smith, Gretchen Maynard-Hahn, Erin De Groomes - Costume Assistants
- Marie-Gabrielle Koumenda - Sound Designer
- Catherine Idle - Stage Manager
Thanks also to Fergus Dunnet for creative consultation on costume design.
Research & Development
Wig Waltz was commissioned by and co-created with children from Forthview Primary School. Children shortlisted applications from artists and invited their shortlist for a pitching session and workshop. Through this process, they selected Wig Waltz as their commission.
Dan and Minnie delivered a series of workshops with children in P6 to explore character development, movement and narrative. This included a visit to The National Trust Georgian House to learn more about the time period which inspired the character design. These workshops informed Dan and Minnie's development of the performance.
