Dances as we do them.
Variations creep into dances naturally and that is pat of traditional evolution.
We have purposely made some changes to dances to make them more interesting to perform or pleasurable to dance.
These variations are noted on this page so that others can see if they like the dances better the way we like them.
Green Sleeves and Yellow Lace Henry Playford 1721, variation Chris Green- Brisbane workshop 1998. This version has rapidly become a favourite with bush dancers, colonial, dancers, Scottish dancers as English dancers.
Chris modified the first figure (setting and casting) so that the working (1st) couple finish the first figure in the middle place of a longways set of three couples. The second figure (figure of eights) is then started from the middle without the ’rush’ from the top place. The dance becomes a 3 couple longways set rather than a triple minor,
- Formation 3 couples longways set.
- Part 1. Setting and Casting
- A 1-4 1st couple cast down individually to 2nd place, 2nd couple lead up
- 4-8 3rd couple casts up while Firsts lead down
- A 1-4 2nd couple cast down, 3rd couple lead up
- 4-8 1st couple casts up while 2nd lead down
- Figure of Eights (skipped)
- B 1-8 1st man down between 2nd couple to fig 8 round 2nd couple(start round woman), 1st woman up between 3rd couple to fig 8 round 3rd couple (start round man)
- B 1-8 1st couple pass by right shoulders and repeat fig 8s with other couples
- Part 2. Circles (walked)
- A 1-4 1st man down with 2nd couple and 1st woman up with 3rd couple; circle in threes once
- 5-6 continue circles for half so that Firsts face up and down, 2nd and 3rd couples are improper.
- 7-8 Firsts pop through to other couple. Seconds may make an arch, or open out
- A 1-8 repeat circling with other couples
- Heys (skipped)
- B 1-8 1st man down to hey with 2nd couple(start round woman), 1st woman up to hey with 3rd couple (start round man)
- B 1-8 Firsts from their proper place pass to repeat the heys with the other couples
All Dance notes & information © Chris Green 2003 - 2005.
Repeat all twice led by other couples
This version creates a 3 couple dance rather than a triple minor as originally and involves the third couple more. The sequence of active couples at the top of the set are 1st, 3rd, 2nd
Broom The Bonny Bonny Broom John Playford 1698; variation Chris Green - Brisbane Ball 2002
This version has more flow and symmetry and is easier to teach quickly to inexperienced dancers at a ball
Chris modified part 1 so that the introduction of each part, (leading, siding, turning) finished with a set and turn single. The figure of the first part was modified so that all couples were involved all the time. The original figure of the second part from 1698 was used to recreate the unusual domino movement followed by the little cast from each end (from the first part exchanged for the set and turn single) to balance the circling movements of the other parts.
- Formation. 4 couple longways set with 1st and 3rd couples improper.
- . Part 1
- A1 1-4 all couples lead up and fall back
- 5-8 partners set and turn single
- A2 1-8 all couples lead down, fall back, partners set and turn single
- A3 1-8 End couples (1st and 4th) meet while middle people (2nd and 3rd) fall back; end couples fall back while middle people meet; end couples meet and circle while middle people fall back
- A4 1-8 repeat with middle people (2nd man and 3rd woman, 3rd man and 2nd woman) meet, fall back and meet to circle.
- Part 2
- A5 1-8 partners side, set and turn single
- A6 1-8 partners side, set and turn single
- A7 1-4 neighbors change places in 2 steps giving hands in the sequence, 1st woman 2nd man, 3rd woman - 4th man, 4th woman - 3rd man, 2nd woman - 1st man
- 5-8 end people (2nd and 3rd) cast down or up on their own side to middle and lead back to end while middle couples (1st and 4th) lead up or down and cast back
- A8 1-8 repeat A7 with the short casts from each end led by the 1st and 4th couples
- Part 3
- A9 1-8 partners arm right, set and turn single
- A10 1-8 partners arm left, set and turn single
- A11 1-4 lead out, turn individually and lead back,(1st couple lead up, 4th couple lead down, middle people with their neighbors lead to the nearest wall)
- 5-8 all 8 circle left way
- A12 1-8 repeat A11
All Dance notes & information © Chris Green 2003 - 2005.
Dance Kaleidescope - Playford Dancing