Gary Clarke: A Miner's Gala (Dancing Class)

About this episode

Choreographer Gary Clarke discusses his journey from a mining village to founding his own dance company, reflecting on themes of resilience and working-class stories through dance.

In this episode of Dancing Class, choreographer Gary Clarke shares his journey from growing up in the mining village of Grimethorpe to founding his own dance company. Gary reflects on childhood memories of the miners’ strike, discovering movement through rave culture and baton twirling, and the teachers who helped him along the way. He shares stories of training at Northern School of Contemporary Dance, performing with Lea Anderson, and creating politically charged works like Coal and Wasteland . The conversation explores resilience, class, creativity, and how dance can tell working-class stories. Content Guidance: Reference to drug use

People in this episode

Guest: Gary Clarke

Topics covered

• dance
• working-class stories
• resilience
• creativity
• class
• rave culture

Keywords

• dance
• Gary Clarke
• Grimethorpe
• miners’ strike
• Northern School of Contemporary Dance
• Coal
• Wasteland
• creativity
• rave culture

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Northern School of Contemporary Dance

Books & works: Coal, Wasteland

Places: Grimethorpe

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