Interview: The Northern Rascals present Sunny Side at Lakeside Arts

First of all, what is Northern Rascals?

Sam: Northern Rascals is a dance theatre company based in Yorkshire. We create original, socially driven performance work that blends dance, theatre and spoken word. At our core, we aim to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard—stories from the edges, rooted in lived experience. We work closely with our local community and champion northern voices, especially those outside of the mainstream. What makes us unique is how personal our process is—we don’t make abstract work for no reason. Everything starts with a real story, often our own, or those we’ve gathered from people we know.

How did it come into existence?

Anna: We started Northern Rascals in 2017 after finishing our training. Like many emerging artists, we didn’t see the kind of work we wanted to make represented—so we made our own. At first it was just the two of us, juggling day jobs and unpaid rehearsals in the local leisure centre. It’s grown a lot since then, but the ethos remains the same: honest, human stories told with heart.

What kind of works are you looking for to perform with Northern Rascals? 

Both: We create all our own work. Each piece begins with a spark from real life—something we’ve experienced, witnessed, or heard in our community. We then go through a deep research process, often including interviews, workshops or open calls for stories. From there, we layer in movement, text and visual design to create something rich and emotionally resonant. Collaboration is central—our performers bring their own lived experience into the room, which helps shape the final piece.

You’re touring with Sunny Side. Why is it important?

Anna: Sunny Side is a piece about a young man slipping through the cracks of society. It explores men’s mental health, isolation, masculinity and class through movement, text, and striking visuals. It’s deeply personal for us—it’s based on the real experiences of men in our hometown. We made it because we could see the cracks widening around us. It’s a story about the quiet ones, the ones who don’t ask for help but need it the most. It’s a plea for compassion.

Is men’s mental health is getting worse?

Sam: I think we live in a turbulent time where mental health in general is under strain—but for men, there’s a specific kind of silence and shame that still surrounds it. There’s this complex tension where, yes, certain groups of men hold privilege, but that doesn’t erase struggle. Particularly in working-class towns, we’re seeing young men who are told they’re “fine” because they’re white, straight or male—when in reality, they’re hanging on by a thread.
Earlier this year, we held a men’s mental health open day in our local trades club—no cameras, just a safe space to talk. One man told us he was “hanging on by a wire, but it’s easier to not have the conversation.” That stuck with me. It told us everything we needed to know about why this show matters.

Is there anything you would suggest to improve mental health and wellbeing?

Sam: For me, it’s simple things—walking the dog, cooking, dancing, being around people I love. Movement is such a powerful release, and just being outside helps me re-centre.

Anna: I need space. Nature, quiet, coffee on my own, mooching around. The pace of this industry is intense, and that can really take its toll. I try to find moments to slow everything down—exercise, good food, sleep, and laughter with people who get me. I feel happiest when I have time to just be, without the pressure to perform or produce.

What’s the modern dance scene in the north of England like? 

Both: The dance scene in the North is vibrant, especially in Leeds—NSCD is a powerhouse for contemporary dance talent. Most of our dancers trained there, and the quality is consistently high.
That said, retention is tough. Too many artists feel they have to leave the North to find work or progression. One of our aims with Northern Rascals was to build something sustainable up here, so people can stay. It’s improving, but the lack of infrastructure—particularly mid-scale venues and studio access—is still a problem. Calderdale, where we’re based, has no viable performance space for our scale of work. That means we often have to premiere shows elsewhere, even when they’re rooted in local stories. That disconnect is frustrating. We need more investment in local arts and pride in the talent on our doorstep.

What makes good theatre? And how do you get the best from your dancers?

Sam: Good theatre makes you feel. It doesn’t have to be flashy, but it has to be real. For us, it’s about honesty, vulnerability, and connection.

We place the person before the performer. That’s not to say we compromise on quality—but we believe that kindness, care and trust in the studio leads to deeper, braver performances. That’s especially evident in Sunny Side—those dancers are giving everything, and it’s because they feel safe enough to do so.

Is dancing good for our wellbeing? 

Anna: Absolutely. Dance is joy, release, connection. You don’t have to be a professional—you just have to move. At your next family party, wedding, night out, take a step back and just observe. Dance connects us in a beautiful, primal way.

Studies show it! Dancing reduces stress, improves cardiovascular health, and even increases happiness. It also boosts memory and coordination. But beyond the science, it’s just… human. Dance connects us in ways that talking can’t. It bypasses language and gets right to the heart. That’s why we do it.

What’s next for Northern Rascals? 

Both: There’s lots in the pipeline. We’re continuing to tour Sunny Side, with an autumn run coming up that brings us to more Northern venues (our favourite!). We’re also planning a revival of our all-female show Reviving Her in 2026/27, and quietly researching a brand new piece… but that’s top secret for now!

Northern Rascals presents Sunny Side at Lakeside Arts on Saturday 17th of  May 2025.