Dance Floor Rebels: Leigh Bowery, Michael Clark and the London 80's Underground Club Scene

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"Hail The New Puritan" (1986) is a fascinating mock documentary directed by Charles Atlas for Channel 4, following a day in the life of revolutionary dancer Michael Clark. This clip near the end of the programme is the culmination of Michael Clark's day. He visits a nightclub and commands the space with his company of dancers including Leigh Bowery, Julie Hood, Matthew Hawkins, and Leslie Bryant. Clark's dancers execute a series of precise, angular movements. The camera captures intimate moments between performers as they prepare, interact with club-goers, and transform the dance floor. The scene transitions between choreographed sequences and documentary-style footage of London's nocturnal creatures—fashion students from Saint Martins, musicians, visual artists, and the beautiful misfits who defined this pivotal era. Notable cameos include performance artist Cerith Wyn Evans, designers Bodymap's Stevie Stewart and David Holah, as well as numerous iconic members of London's vibrant club scene. The DJ is Jeffrey Hinton, who was one of the DJs at Leigh Bowery's club Taboo.

The full documentary brilliantly captures mid-1980s London, weaving together contemporary dance, post-punk music (featuring The Fall's Mark E. Smith and Brix Smith), club culture, and avant-garde fashion. It's a vital snapshot of a unique moment in London's cultural history.
Personal note: I first saw this when it aired and spent years trying to track it down after losing a precious VHS recording. I used to see Leigh out and about regularly, and he once knocked me to the floor at a night called Delirium at the Astoria in Charing Cross Road. For this night, they had installed a funfair in the venue, which included a full-size helter-skelter that reached all the way up to the ceiling. It would deposit you straight onto the dance floor, and Leigh came flying out of the chute, straight into me, and we rolled about on the floor together. I later learned that this deliberate knocking over of people was one of his provocative party tricks, particularly when wearing oversized costumes.

For more Leigh Bowery and 80's London clubbing and fashion check Outlaws: Fashion Renegades of 80s London at the Fashion and Textile Museum in Bermondsey until 9th March 2025 as well as Leigh Bowery! at Tate Modern opening 27th February 2025 until August 31st 2025.



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