Hogarthian Rave

 

Image by Becca Townsley

 
“I’ve always wanted to work with dance because I love watching it. The older you get the more amazed you are at what bodies can do, not your own obviously, so I’m quite happy to be around that. And you’re always just looking at something new to do basically, a new experience as an artist, something that’s unexpected and that’s what this has been.”
— Jeremy Deller on his collaboration with Choreographer Grace Nicol.

The Hogarthian Rave is a collaboration between Turner Prize Award winning Artist Jeremy Deller, Choreographer Grace Nicol and London Contemporary Dance School students. It started with Jeremy Deller writing 3 words in his notebook, ‘messy Hogarthian Rave’.

The work draws inspiration from the idea that William Hogarth’s interpretation of London society was as relevant then as it is now. The performance draws inspiration from William Hogarth's satirical and social commentary, aiming to blend historical themes with contemporary rave culture.

Costumes are designed by sports banger with 'Get Out My Pub' scrap canvas printed ruffle tabards as a nod to the 18th century Gin Craze and (maybe) the time Keir Starmer was thrown out of a pub in Bath. Cuffs, pinnies, bonnets.

Eat the rich and some General Levy to boot.

 
 

Credits

Premiered 26 Jul 2025 in Trafalgar Square as part of the National Gallery 200 celebrations and Jeremy Deller’s The Triumph of Art.

Costumes Sportsbanger
Choreography Grace Nicol
Dramaturgy Theo Clinkard
Film Florence Pearl and Mk Moves
Curated/ produced by Emily Stone
Assistant Choreographer Rebecca Townsley

Cast and collaborators
Nell Bradbury
Noor Darwish
Lu Deng
Lindsay Dreyer
Isabella Gaynor
Jamie Gibson
Maisie Hollyer
Imran Jallow
Louise Lawson
Siyi Liu
Shane Murray
Yu-Ning Tan
Mia Ostinelli
Nehir Özeke
Mary Payne
Em Pye
Rosie Robertson
Lilia Rowe
Matilda Short
Perdie Smith
Clara Strange Anderson
Catrin Thomas
Sveva Katherine Varacalli
Maddy Westhead
Hollie Whitford

Special thanks to Maddison Araceli, Isis O’Regan, The Place, Daniel Sutton, Hana Carlson, Katrin Tani, Xel Ortega, Laure Dubanet, Serra Kosebay, Yaorao Cai, Sihui Lee Choding, Tina Afiyan Breiova, Olu Alatise, Carys Thomas.