The American Travelling Morrice comprises dancers and musicians from across the USA. Originally composed of men from Binghamton, NY and Boston, the group has grown to include dancers from across the nation, as well as several men from England. While many of these men dance regularly with teams in their home towns, they come together for one week each year to form the American Travelling Morrice.

Morris dancing is an old English country tradition. Its origins are lost in the mists of forgotten time, but pictorial and written references date back to the 15th century. In his day, Shakespeare cherished the Morris as an ancient custom and he made allusions to it in many of his plays. The dances you will see performed, using sticks or handkerchiefs, have their origins in Cotswold villages. Many villages such as Longborough, Bampton, Bledington, Oddington and Sherborne had their own tradition and if you watch carefully, you may be able to spot the differences.

During our current tour in the Yorkskire Dales and the Lake District, we will be joined in various locations by Flag and Bone, The Richmond Morris Men, and John O’Gaunt Morris Men. Do come and see us sometime.