Red Stags Morris was formed by students at Southampton University over thirty years ago. We take our name from the University's crest (forget the dolphin logo, the Stag was there first). We are a mixed team (i.e. men and women dance together) performing dances in the Border style. This style is characterised by vigorous stick clashing and energetic dancing, not unrelated to the fact that it would originally have been performed in the middle of winter (although we do most of our performing in the summer).

Our principal concern is to introduce newcomers to the Morris and to act as a training side, but it does not take long to achieve a high standard and Red Stags are regularly invited to perform at festivals and weekend dance meetings throughout the country. We do not neglect Southampton either, with regular dance-outs at local pubs throughout the summer term.

The music is presently supplied by renaissance recorder, fiddle, squeeze box and assorted percussion but we're open to offers; in the past we've used didgeridoos and electric guitars! The kit consists of black trousers and shoes, white shirt and a `rag' jacket in a different colour for each dancer (easy assembly instructions supplied). We practice on the second, third and fourth Thursday evening each month (when we are not dancing-out) from 8.00pm in Swaythling Methodist Church Hall, Burgess Road. Almost anyone can be taught to dance the Morris and absolutely no experience is required. If you would like to come along, please contact us first in case we are having a week off for holidays or something.

Click here if you would like to avoid us. If you would like to take your chances, then don't click here.

Reds Stags Morris is a member of the Morris Federation, there are some other Morris organisations