More than a dance show, this is a physical narrative of a clash of cultures and styles married together in an explosion of dance and music.

The brain child of award-winning folk band The Demon Barbers, the show sees a group of street dancers arrive at an apparently deserted pub. Local rumour has it that The Fighting Cocks is the place to be ‘after hours’ but as the regulars arrive, a clash of cultures turns into a dance floor stand-off.

The skill, speed and athleticism of the dancers on both sides soon wins the others over as the old and new are brought together in an exciting and dynamic dance-off. Sword dances are performed with snooker-cues, pub bouncers dance the Morris and B-boys flirt with clog girls. Meanwhile house band The Demon Barbers takes English Folk music on a new journey with friends Hip Hop, House, Funk and Ska and even says hello to Burlesque and Drum & Bass along the way!

Says Artistic Director Damien Barber “I’ve always seen folk music and dance as an incredibly modern and vibrant living tradition and wanted to find a way to bring that vision to the widest possible audience. The Lock In is the result of several years of artistic collaborations and development and I’m extremely excited that it’s finally touring! The response has been phenomenal from both folkies and street dance fans. All our dancers have also taken the opportunity to learn from each other and have been amazed by the similarities and shared experiences they found in the two, seemingly very different, dance styles”.

The Lock In promises to do for English folk dance what Riverdance did for Irish dance and Diversity did for street dance, by bringing some lesser known forms of dance into the mainstream. Fast-paced and innovative, the show brings together some of the UK’s top clog, sword and Morris dancers with their counterparts from the worlds of B-boying, popping & krump. Choreographed by contemporary dance specialist Bobak Walker (Verve, Motionmanual) with Damien Barber (Demon Barbers) as artistic director and many plaudits from other dance companies, Arts Council officers and national newspapers, this is the must-see dance show of the autumn!

Book online www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk, or call Box Office 01584 878141.