Disco Queen
Ella Tighe
About Disco Queen
EARLY BIRD OFFER: limited tickets available – book now to save!*
Step into the high-speed, full-throttle world of competitive disco freestyle with Disco Queen!
Inspired by competitive disco freestyle, a form of dance born out of the iconic 1970s film Saturday Night Fever, this show brings to life the determination, jaw-dropping athleticism, and glittering spectacle of freestyle dance.
Join Ella Tighe on a journey of high kicks, splits, spins, and gravity defying moves as she revisits her days in a hidden world where fake tan, rhinestones, and raw ambition rule. Expect pulsing disco beats, enduring heats, high-energy choreography, and a story that celebrates resilience, community, and the relentless pursuit of passion. It’s a celebration of confidence, courage, and the spirit of competition – a chance to cheer on the underdog and discover the grit behind the glitter.
From smoky community halls to the high-stakes competition circuit, Disco Queen unpacks the highs and lows of striving for perfection in a community of strong young women navigating the realities of working-class Britain – all in the hope of becoming a champion, a legend, an icon… a Disco Queen. A Choreodrome 2023 commission.
*The Early Bird discount will be applied at checkout.
A truly magnificent celebration of the human body!
Audience member at Disco Queen premiere, 2025
Authentic. Visceral. Real.
Audience member at Disco Queen premiere, 2025
About the artist
Ella Tighe is an independent dance maker based in Bradford. She makes contemporary dance-theatre works influenced by her background as a competitive Disco Freestyle dancer.
In 2025 she premiered her first solo show,Disco Queen; the first ever professional show dedicated to competitive Freestyle dance. Her work explores working-class stories, the judgement placed on women and the embedded hierarchies within dance.
Alongside making work, Ella founded BOLD! Bradford Artist Scratch Night, an artist development initiative in Bradford. She independently supervises students at Bird College, London and runs Practice with Ella, teaching RocketBeats yoga.
www.ellatighe.com
Cast & Creatives
Created and performed by: Ella Tighe
Text written by: Ella Tighe with support from Kirsty Taylor
Freestyle Dancers in Film: Abbie Knowles, Chloe Gordon, Edith Horsfall, Emilia Tolley, Fearne Weedon, Lillianna Clifton, Reeva Wedderburn and Roma Alexander.
Produced by Sarah Shead (Spin Arts)
Project Management by Kerry Wright
With thanks to MARF, Keira Martin, Andrea Heaton, Eva Martinez and Natalie Davies
Sound & Music Original soundtrack composed by Ed Heaton. Endless Now - Lyrics by Ed Heaton and Ella Tighe
Vocals by Narelle Hill
Voiceovers: Compere – Andrew Wilson Ella’s Mum – Jill Tighe Freestyle Community – Phoebe Jones, Anna Jones, Angela Booth, Stacie Bennett-Worth, Edith Horsfall, Chloe Gordon and Dolcie Ward
Design & Styling: Costume by Nicky Dunn (The Curious Wardrobe) Disco Queen tracksuits by Lily Dunn (Lily Doll Boutique)
Make-up by Paula Hopwood (Hustle Make Up)
Set design by Matt Sykes-Hooban
Lighting & Technical: Lighting Design & Technical Management – TBC
Film: Filmmakers – Danny Hardaker & Rowan Stothard Video archive footage from Disco World, Maxine Glasby, and trophies from Bingley Dance Studio (honouring the legacy of Maureen Carr)
Special thanks to: Bingley Dance Studio, Unity Dance, Dazl, Soul Dance Academy, Stacie Bennett-Worth, Rachel Gildea, Hannah Abraham-Ninan and Anna Jones.
Disco Queen was commissioned as part of The Place’s Choreodrome residency in 2023 and supported using public funding from Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant, Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Levelling up funds from UK Government, Bradford 2025, Kala Sangam, The Civic Barnsley, Stage@Leeds, Yorkshire Dance, Middle Floor, The Place and WainsgateDances.
