"The Big Movement Live brought together people from all walks of life to shout about the project and men's mental health.

A highlight from me was The Collective; a group of men standing up for something we believe in: how movement becomes a language for the things men often leave unspoken.

They absolutely smashed their performance and did themselves proud"

First steps on the dance floor

There were 29 performers, aged 14 to 64, and 93% identify as male. A third of them already engage in our regular male dance classes

Blame it on the boogie

80 brave audience members took on our dancing task and their smiles told a thousand stories

Bold and brave new work

It's more than dance: ZoieLogic Dance Theatre commissioned nine artists for the event, including writers, poets, dance artists and filmmakers

Southampton's Mayflower Studios became a vibrant hub of connection, inspiration and courage on Saturday 8 November as ZoieLogic Dance Theatre's The Big Movement LIVE — a heartfelt and unflinching event centred on men's mental health — took over the venue.

The beautiful collision of fun, creativity and dance was designed to be a space in which men were valued, heard and seen, and in which the audience could experience the power of dance.

Act 1 saw the foyer and café transformed into an immersive theatre experience filled with poetry, creativity and performance, offering attendees a space to reflect, connect... and dance together!

The vibrant Act 2 performance by an all-male cast — many of whom had never danced or performed on stage before — was more than theatre, it was a call to arms. They lifted the roof off with their bravery and brilliance.

"With our The Big Movement programme, we want to bring men's mental health into the spotlight in ways that are honest, visceral and connecting. If even one man left feeling less alone on Saturday night, we succeeded"

— Zoie Golding MBE, Artistic Director of ZoieLogic

"What an amazing, beautiful, special, inspirational experience!"

— Dancer in The Big Movement LIVE
Above: The Collective dancers perform a group lift during their performance called "Step Right Up" During Act 1, audience members spent time drawing on our giant MOVE letters Audience members take part in guided dance activity on the Mayflower Studios mezzanine during Act 1
Below: Kai Harvey of Kin Company performs Audience of One in front of audience members wearing headphones during Act 1 The whole of the cast for The Big Movement LIVE perform together on stage for the finale of the event Some of the blackout poetry created by audience members during Act 1
Above: A selection of clips the stage performances during Act 2 Special guest Angela Rippon CBE takes part in the Act 1 guided headphone activities An audience member adds colour to the MOVE letters as part of an activity during Act 1
Below: Snippets from “This was the Place”, a dance film created with steering group member, DeeDee PJ Hurst performs “Are you Okay?” during Act 2 Audience members with their hands held high taking part in a guided dance activity during Act 1 A selection of postcards written by audience members during Act 1 for the activity called “A gift from a stranger”
Act 1
Narrated by Matt Beames and Zoie Golding MBE. Audience of One by Kin Company, performed by Kai Harvey, Nell Weatherby, Martina Tartarini, Daniel Bennett and Caitano Saldanha. Blackout poetry written by Craig Chalmers, SM Ripper and Alan Oram. Act 2
Hosted by Liam Gifford and Zoie Golding MBE. Are you Okay? Performed by PJ Hurst. Original commission by Rendez-vous Dance. Artistic Direction by Zoie Golding. Blank Space by FuzzyClear, performed by Rudi Funnell and Alex Wingate. Choreography by Lizanne Smith Head, Alex Evens and FuzzyClear.
This was the Place, a film by DeeDee Crook in collaboration with Matt Walker & Ollie Webb. Enter Intelligence by FuzzyLogic, performed by Noah May, Neddie Nichols, Ben Badcock, Charlie Meldrum, Quin Henson, Finley Connis and Dylan Prongnamjai. Choreography by Zoie Golding, Alex Evens and FuzzyLogic. The Caged Bird, performed by The Dark Poet, accompanied by Kai Harvey, Jonah Wigley and Toby Newell. Step Right Up by The Collective, performed by Andy Cuffley, Chris Campbell, Colin Barnett, Roddy Duarte, Dee Dee Crook, Gabriel Galvez, Liam Gifford, Rudi Funnell, Neil Brabant and Tim Stretton. Choreography by Alex Evens, Natalie Watson, Zoie Golding and The Collective.
The Big Movement LIVE was created and produced by the team at ZoieLogic. The Big Movement is proudly supported by Solent Mind and sponsored by Mayflower Theatre. We are working in partnership with ManGang, MAST Mayflower Studios, Saints Foundation, Abri, Mettricks, Alive with Ideas, ScoreApp and Forth Engineering and we are championed by Ryan Parke. It is supported using public funding by Arts Council England. Supported by The Big Movement steering group, Colin Barnett, Andy Bishop, Neil Brabant, Chopper, Liam Gifford, Nigel Powney, Jem Rycraft, Tim Stretton, Lou Taylor and Lynda Walton.
Photo credit for all images: Dev Place Photos. Video credit for all video content: Matt Walker.

We're flipping the script on what movement means for men. No past experience needed. No fancy footwork required.

If you or someone else is in danger, please call 999 or go to A&E now.

If you need help urgently for your mental health, but it's not an emergency, you can get help from NHS 111 online or call 111. Your mental health is as important as your physical health. You will not be wasting anyone's time.

National 24/7 services are available with the Samaritans by phoning 116 123, or SHOUT by texting 'HANTS' to 85258.

You can also visit Heads Together, Solent Mind, or call Mind on 0300 123 3393 or text 86463.