“Coiled Up” – A Performance About Living With a Womb

Living with a womb can be taxing, as we put forth so much effort to conceal or express the physical and emotional symptoms that come with it. However, it’s time to stop hiding and start embracing our hormonal monsters together. Join us for “Coiled Up,” a compelling dance‑theatre work choreographed and directed by Bar Groisman, performed by Polly Constance, Thea Kallhed Moller, Aeron Preston, and Fay Reilly.

This performance delves deeply into the paradox of life with a womb — the beauty, the suffering, the unpredictable, unforgettable moments. With lighting design by Zoe Ritchie, Costume design by Jacob Elliot-Roberts and music by Milo McKinnon, “Coiled Up” weaves visceral movement, intimate storytelling, and raw emotion to confront taboos, challenge silence, and honour embodied experience.

If you’re someone living with a womb, someone curious about embodiment, or someone eager to witness a bold new perspective, “Coiled Up” invites you into a shared space of confrontation, care, reclamation—and collective transformation.

‘I was surprised – I thought I knew where it was going, but it was like knives in my stomach or uterus’ – Audience Member at The Place 2023

Choreographed and Directed by: Bar Groisman
Performed by: Polly Constance, Aeron Preston, Jenna Unwin & Jacquelyn Tepper
Dramaturgical Advice: by Lou Cope
Lighting design: Zoe Ritchie
Music: Milo McKinnon
Costume and Rehearsal Direction: Jacob Elliot-Roberts
Producer: Treacle Holasz
Outreach Coordination: Steph Townsend
Trailer: Gen Reeves
Filmed at: DanceEast, Jerwood DanceHouse
Photos: Elly Welford
Previously Produced by: Alison Thomas & Jasmine Norton
R&D/Creation performers: Thea Kallhed Moller, Fay Reilly, Rose Lewis, &Corrie McKenzie

Funded by Arts Council England, National Lottery Project Grant, Three Monkies Trust and Paul Mulholland.
Commissioned by DanceEast, The Place, Cambridge Junction & Back to the Bones Festival
Partnered with Yorkshire Dance, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, London Contemporary Dance School, Cambridge Junction, Playground Rambert, Wellbeing of Women

Audience testimonies

'The physicality was super striking, and there was a powerful sense of unity in their struggle and although intense there was a sense of care and awareness of each other's pain'

'Really powerful to see and experience such an important subject matter to share with audiences. Enjoyed so much!!'

'I loves the piece, the physicality, music and costumes all took me on a journey that I appreciated'

'I was suprised - I thought I knew where it was going, but it was like knives to my stomach or uterus'