Horses

Horses is an outdoor participatory dance inspired by the radical justice tale of Michael Kohlhaas, a medieval horse dealer. Set in public spaces, this pop-up spectacle blends medieval fair, performance art, and protest in motion, reconnecting dance with everyday public life. 

Using improvisation, ballet, contemporary and street dance, storytelling, physical games, and group dynamics, Horses invites participants to explore dance as activism, connection, and creative agency. This one-of-a-kind experience provokes playful and provocative interaction, creating temporary communities through shared movement and collective expression.

Designed for public spaces, Horses is open and accessible to diverse audiences of all ages. With minimal text and a dynamic physical language, the show communicates across linguistic and cultural boundaries.

Horses will premier this summer as part of the Glasgow 2026 Festival, Tramway Beyond Walls, a strand of performance, visual art and participation outwith the physical limits of its building, and Govanhill International Festival and Carnival.

Previous developments have been developed with support from Magnetic North’s Rough Mix Residency, Dance Base, Barrowland Ballet’s Wolf Pack and Garnethill Multicultural Centre.

Credits

Director - Eszter Marsalkó

Composer - Luke Sutherland

Dancers - Kemono Lebe-Riot, Jack Anderson, Laura Bradshaw, Malcolm Sutherland

(Previously developed with: Harvey Lancaster-Rous and Vicki Manderson )

Stage Manager - Craig McNeill

Production Manager - Tom Wilson