31 July 1964 – 16 October 2020
A black and white photo of Dave doing a pull-up on a ballet-barre, his eyes hidden as his face passes between the barre and mirrored wall.
About Dave
Born in Leeds, England, Dave Toole rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most authentic and courageous dancers of his generation Dave transformed what others might have seen as limitation into a profound source of artistry and strength.
His work transcended physical boundaries, redefining the language of movement and what dance could express. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the arts, Dave was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours.
Dave on the set of The Enormous Room. Dave is white, has short dark hair and a beard, he is a disabled dance artist. He sits inside a wooden side cabinet with a lace curtain behind, clutching a mug in his remarkable hands. He rests on his forearms, a knowing look in his eyes inviting us in to his homely cupboard, his onstage world.
A Remarkable Career
Dave’s career spanned more than three decades, encompassing theatre, film, and dance. He first came to prominence with Candoco Dance Company in the early 1990s, captivating audiences with performances that challenged convention and celebrated difference.
He went on to collaborate with DV8 Physical Theatre, appearing in The Cost of Living (2004), where his magnetic presence and nuanced performance drew critical acclaim. His artistry also shone in Sally Potter’s film The Tango Lesson(1997), as well as with Stopgap Dance Company, featuring in Artificial Things (2014) and The Enormous Room (2017).
One of Dave’s most iconic moments came on the world stage: his solo in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Suspended high above the stadium, he performed a breathtaking aerial sequence that was broadcast to millions and remains one of the most memorable images of the ceremony — a moment that embodied both grace and courage.
Timeline of Performances & Projects
1993
Flying in the face of… — Choreography by Adam Benjamin and Lea Parkinson
To Please the Desert — Dancers Dave Toole and Kuldip Singh-Barmi — Choreography by Jodi Falk
Back to Front with Side Shows — Choreography by Emilyn Claid
To Please the Desert - Jodi Falk
1994
Between The National and The Bristol — Choreography by Siobhan Davies
OUTSIDE IN | Directed by Margaret Williams — Choreography by Victoria Marks
A still from Outside In.
1995
You Are Now Entering The State of Love — Choreography by Lea Parkinson
Out of Here — Choreography by Annabel Arden, Jos Houben and Candoco Dance Company
Back to Front With Side Shows
Out of Here
Back to Front With Side Shows
Out of Here
You Are Now Entering The State of Love
1997
The Tango Lesson — Directed by Sally Potter
2000
Can We Afford This? — DV8 Physical Theatre
“He’s extraordinarily gifted and funny: he doesn’t need our pity.” — The Guardian, 2000
Edgar, The Fall of the House of Usher — Graeae
2001
De Flores, The Changeling — Graeae
2004
The Cost of Living (Film) — DV8 Physical Theatre, directed by Lloyd Newson
“It’s an ensemble piece, but the film’s most memorable moments involve David Toole… who seduces us in a bar, fights off a bigot, dances with a ballerina and shares the film’s extraordinary final image.” — NOW Magazine, 2004
2006
The Soldier, Blasted — Sarah Kane, Graeae
Amazing Grace — Michael Apted
2008
Tracking — Stopgap Dance Company, Choreographed by Lucy Bennett
I’ll Be the Devil — The Royal Shakespeare Company
2009
They Only Come at Night: Visions — Slung Low Theatre
2012
Navigation — London 2012 Paralympics Opening Ceremony
They Only Come at Night: Resurrection — Slung Low Theatre
The Impending Storm — With Mark Storor, Lucy Hind and Remix Dance Company – Unlimited
2013
The Johnny Eck & Dave Tool Show — Slung Low Theatre
2014
Artificial Things — Stopgap Dance Company
2015
Bill & Bobby — Choreographed by Dave Toole and Lucy Bennett, Stopgap Dance Company
2017
The Enormous Room — Stopgap Dance Company
2018
Artificial Things (Film) — Stopgap Dance Company, directed by Sophie Fiennes
A Legacy That Endures
Dave was more than a performer; he was a mentor, collaborator, and friend to countless artists — disabled and non-disabled alike. He helped reshape perceptions of the human body in motion, showing that dance is not confined by form, but defined by spirit.
Through his work with companies like Candoco, DV8, Stopgap, and Slung Low, he inspired a generation of performers to explore movement in new and radical ways. His artistry continues to influence and uplift, long after the final curtain.
Words from Friends and Collaborators
“He had an extraordinary talent; he was a brilliant actor and the very finest dancer we’ve ever seen.”
— Alan Lane, Artistic Director, Slung Low
“He was funny, irreverent, droll and direct, with an openness of spirit that made him such a joy to work with. On stage he was magnetic — one of the most outstanding and alluring dancers I’ve ever witnessed. It was an honour to have worked with such a courageous and talented man.”
— Lloyd Newson, Artistic Director, DV8 Physical Theatre
“Dave was comfortable about being an ‘inspiration’. He knew it wasn’t because he was disabled — it was because he was doing the job he was born to do. From the moment the lights came up to the moment they faded to black, he held the audience in the palms of his giant hands.”
— Lucy Bennett, Co-Artistic Director, Stopgap Dance Company
“An exceptional dancer whose outstanding presence and performance changed the dance world.”
— Charlotte Darbyshire, Former Dancer and Artistic Director, Candoco Dance Company
Critical Acclaim
“Candoco’s star, David Toole, can move incredibly fast, skittering around the floor and weaving between the other dancers. But most extraordinary is the unique distribution of his body’s weight, which means that he can arch and angle his torso in beautiful and astonishing ways.” — The Independent, “The Body Builders”
Remembering Dave
"From the moment the lights came up to the moment they faded to black, he held the audience in the palms of his giant hands..."
David Toole obituary
"David Toole, who has died aged 56, was perhaps the world’s most renowned disabled dancer, whose combination of physical power and bewitching delicacy created arresting imagery on stage and TV around the globe."
Read Dave's ObituaryKeeping Dave's legacy alive
We hope this page can become a living archive. If you spot any performances or works of Dave’s that we’ve missed, or if you’d like to contribute a memory or reflection, please do get in contact so we can continue to expand it.
