We are NORTHERN RASCALS
We are a multi-disciplinary performance company based in Yorkshire.
Driven by social conscience, Northern Rascals uses theatre and contemporary dance to lead audiences to original narratives rooted in the current socio-political climate.
Nationally recognised, the company is renowned for their raw yet poetic interpretation of today’s world and the people that inhabit it and celebrated for their dedication to using Northern voices to spearhead that poeticism.
Anna and Sam
Northern Rascals is run by Co-Artistic Directors Anna Holmes and Sam Ford.
Anna and Sam set up Northern Rascals in 2017, after being awarded a micro commission by Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal. The duo made a short work called 2 Peas. They shortly were successful in receiving their first Arts Council England grant for ‘Dearest Daisy’ in 2018.
Since Northern Rascals establishment in 2017, Anna and Sam have developed a strong track record of support from its creative and professional community, industry partners and funding bodies. This includes support from Arts Council England, Leeds City Council, The Place – Choreodrome Artists 2020, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Didsbury Arts Festival (main commission 2019), The Royal Exchange Theatre (Hodgkiss Award, Shortlisted) and copious commissions from the National CAT Scheme (The Lowry 2022, Dance4 2021, NSCD 2020-22). Northern Rascals key works include The Aftermath, commissioned by The Piece Hall and Northern Broadsides, SHED, Reviving Her and Sunny Side. All of which have been supported by ACE, NSCD, NB, Kala Sangam and a community of over 1,000 young people across the North of England.
ANNA HOLMES
Anna was born in the creative town of Hebden Bridge in 1994. Her childhood was spent as a childhood should be - with space to run, play, dream and to give her wild imagination the nourishment it needed.
Gifted at school at academics, literature and in the performing arts, Anna knew that her passion lied in unpicking the world and using art as a tool to put it back together.
At the age of 13, she joined the youth courses at Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds and went on to enter the Centre of Advanced Training Scheme at the School. At 18, Anna began her degree at Northern School of Contemporary Dance, graduating with a 1st class degree in Contemporary Dance.
Upon graduation, Anna left Yorkshire for Kent to join JV2 of Jasmin Vardimon Company. Whilst beginning her professional performance career, Anna was fascinated by the other side - directing, producing and creating her own original works.
SAM FORD
Sam was born in the London borough of Croydon in 1995. His upbringing was one that was full of love, good food, and imaginative child’s play in ‘Ford’s Forest’ (his back garden).
As a neurodiverse person, Sam struggled in the traditional schooling system but excelled at dance, cooking and the performing arts. His entry into dance was in a bid to compete with his little sister when she begun tap lessons. Lo and behold, Sam’s sibling rivalry paved off as he found a true love and freedom in movement and choreography.
At the age of 15, Sam joined the BRIT School in Croydon where he intensively studied all dance styles under the guidance of some of the countries best practitioners. Completing his A levels at the school, Sam continued his dance studies and began his degree at Northern School of Contemporary Dance, graduating with a 1st class degree in Contemporary Dance.
Upon graduation, Sam left Yorkshire for London to join Edge, the post-graduate company of London Contemporary Dance School. Sam has since enjoyed a successful performing career with companies such as Rhiannon Faith, Avant Garden Dance, Barnaby Booth and English National Opera.