Viv Moore’s movement-based show Pull Up Your Socks is a tale of derring-do, with dance, song, text, film and of course Pirates and the world of Faerie. She explores ageing and the spectrum of grief, including humour, death, sadness, joy and whacky memories. Viv’s rebellious nature challenges the concepts of ‘normal’ for women of a certain age, or any age. She has always objected to ideas foisted upon us by others, and in particular how those dealing with dementia (whether carer or sufferer), are expected to behave.

Viv finds the demonization of the female form and in particular, the older body, to be oppressive at the very least, and sees ageism as a death knoll to the creative spirit. She champions the outsider, the undervalued, the one with the least agency. The term dementia dances hand in hand with grief, bringing tsunami-like behavioural changes to established connections. Viv and her Mum Ethel’s love for each other, singing, dancing, painting and being eccentrically ‘off the wall’, brought about a deeper relationship, through many years of mutual caring and bonding.

As a post World War II baby, born in the working-class Black Country, England, ‘pull up your socks’ became a mantra for survival, thriving and moving forward. Social delicacy and passion had to co-exist in a world of generational trauma and class snobbery, and also hope eternal and buckets of love. Rules were made to be understood and sometimes broken, and she has been guided by the spirit of freedom and rebellion. Her Celtic roots and blood ancestors manifest as unexplained forces of spirit and support, which play a major part of her place in the world.

Viv’s movement journey started in Ballet at the age of 4. Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, African, Clog, then the study of Physical Theatre and Acting followed over the decades. In the early 90s, Viv began her exciting journey in Clown & Bouffon swiftly followed by Butoh. She took up fencing when she was 17, and later became involved in Fight Directors, Canada certifying in 7 weapons (Advanced) and as Co-ordinator of events (Banff, Washington DC, Toronto).

She has enjoyed following her heart, changing countries, homes and exploring different jobs that fed her creativity. Viv has performed and taught in Sweden, Australia, England and Canada. After immigrating to Canada from England when she was 23, she taught at Colleges and Universities; acted and danced in theatre, dance, film and tv; curated, produced and movement-directed various self-produced (or other) festivals, shows, conferences; choreographed mainstage musicals; received several Dora nominations; self-produced her solo show Worcestershire Saucy in 2012; has served on various arts boards and juries.

www.vivmoore.com