Martin Hargreaves: North-West Side Story (Dancing Class)
About this episode
Martin Hargreaves discusses his journey from a working-class upbringing to becoming Head of the Rose Choreographic School, reflecting on the impact of dance on his identity and confidence as a queer teenager.
In this Dancing Class podcast episode, Martin Hargreaves reflects on his journey from a working-class upbringing in Wallasey near Liverpool to becoming Head of the Rose Choreographic School at Sadler’s Wells. Raised in a family with little direct connection to the arts, his early exposure to dance came indirectly through his sister’s ballet classes and films like West Side Story . He discusses how dance shaped his sense of identity and confidence as a queer teenager, and how it has remained central to his life through writing, teaching, and critical engagement. Image Credit: Jason Dimmock Content Guidance: Recorded 14th March 2025 Sound Recordist: Charlotte Ryan Editing: Dr Laura Taylor Audio accompaniment: Dr Jess Blaise Ward Audio accompaniment mastering: Michael Ward
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