What people say about us

“Truly remarkable in that every dance is a sepia print in motion. Worth a journey to see them.” - Folk Icons website.

“I fell in love at once with The Old Glory Molly Dancers from Suffolk; the men, lumbering about joylessly with their blacked faces, farmer’s hats and hobnail boots, the lord and ‘lady’ of the dances (both male), and the (female) band, black from head to foot except for their hands, and great wreaths of evergreen around their hats and hanging down their backs. There was something wonderfully unsettling and funereal about this group. And I was amused to see the frightened looks on children’s faces as they first passed where I stood.” - visitor to the Whittlesea Straw Bear festival, 2006.

“I agree with you about Old Glory. My husband said they really capture the essence of what Molly is all about, the darkness and not speaking. And they don’t perform at any other time of year. We make special trips to see them.” - Annie Dunn.

“Possibly the strangest experience I’ve ever had in my life.” - John Peel, BBC Radio 1.

“Dance macabre: Suffolk troupe revives rural tradition of the menacing Mollies. Looking sinister is essential. Not for nothing are they called ‘Morris dancers with menace’.” - The Guardian

“Old Glory have been recommended to me as a ‘Must See’ side.” - Phil Sigournay

“They made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck and they were so solemn I couldn’t help crying” - Whittlesey shopkeeper (Straw Bear Festival, 2007)

“Daddy, I shall have nightmares!” - very young spectator at The Locks Inn, Geldeston (Winter Solstice, 2007)

“I think you’re the scariest thing ever.” - assistant in the tea shop at Snape Maltings (December 2007)

“You’re scary - and it’s not even Halloween” - Leiston Police (January 2008)

“Muscle and Menace” - overheard in the Middleton Bell (December 2008)

“So English it brought tears to my eyes” - visitor to the Whittlesea Straw Bear festival, 2009.

“About the best moll side in uk” - Peter Perry (2009)

“Having seen Old Glory a few times we were lucky to catch them at The Locks Inn, Geldeston at the Winter Solstice. A truly atmospheric event, heightened by the fact you had to risk breaking your neck down an icy 800 yard track to get there. The blazing torches illuminated approach that they made across the marshes culminating in crossing the Waveney over the footbridge from the Suffolk (all Norfolk people cross yourselves at this point) side was a marvellous piece of theatre.” - Steve Evans (December 2009)

“Very dark” - David Wilson Clarke (2009)

“Considering the difficult conditions underfoot, Old Glory put on a fantastic performance” - Gary Cornthwaite (Landlord of the Rumburgh Buck), Plough Monday, 2010

“You danced as though it really mattered” - Nick Walden, Whittlesey 2010

“Old Glory are the best dance side I've ever seen. Unique.” - camrakamera, 2010

“My friend and I saw you at Whittlesey and looked up some pictures of your other earlier events which looked wonderful. We are sad that we have many months ahead before the Molly Monster awakens again.” - Yvonne Dragun, January 2010

“It was an icy drive from near Canterbury - and home again - but oh so very worth it - made my Christmas!! What struck us a so superb was that it was all done absolutely 'straight' - from the haunting walk along the dark road to the tale and the dancing. I mean by that - no messing - no fooling - from all who took part and from the audience - just respect for the old ways and enjoyment.” - Viv and Paul Sinden, Cutty Wren, December 2010

“Makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck!” - ‘morrisndoris’, January 2011

“There is no doubt that when the nights draw in a, spot of Old Glory Molly is called for. In daylight the show is interesting, after dark scareeeeeee.” - Steve Evans, January 2011

“Thoroughly enjoyed Monday night with you in Rumburgh, travelled across from Leicester and it was well worth the journey. The journey was nothing compared to the effort you have all put in to make the dance, music and presentation of such a high standard. Congratulations on the splendid sum raised for charity too.” - Tim Smith, January 2012 (after Plough Monday)

“You are the best side. I love your dancing, it’s so macho, so butch, so strong” - visitor to the Whittlesea Straw Bear festival, 2012.