strathspey@strathspey.org:24459

Patricia Ruggiero

RE: Red House

Jan. 22, 2001, 5:04 p.m. (Message 24459)

Anselm asked:

"I wonder how the English dancers do it -- if you start near the bottom of
the hall in a `longways' set you must be stone cold and bored stiff until
you reach the top if you
ever do ..."

1) I don't recall how the original instructions read, but the reconstruction
calls for the second chase sequence to be done by the 2s (W2 casts down to
begin, followed by her partner).

2) Some groups have adopted the practice of splitting the first part between
the 1s and the 2s; that is, the 1s dance forward a double and back, set and
cast down, while the 2s move up, and then the 2s dance that sequence.  This
elicits many boos and hisses from the 1s who were hoping to have this entire
satisfying sequence to themselves.

3) In very long halls, the long lines a divided; say, about the middle of
the hall.

4) When sets are forming, folks who normally don't care where they land
jockey to be near the top so that, if they are 2s, they have some hope of
becoming 1s.

5) If items #2-4 do not obtain, the 2s end up becoming stone cold and bored
stiff, not to mention sullen, resentful, frustrated, and determined to seek
revenge.........

Pat
(a Red House fan of either persuasion)