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Russian Ballet (was Ceilidh Programme)

Karin Ingram

Karin Ingram

May 9, 2007, 12:11 p.m. (Message 48698)

Sophie asked about The Russian Ballet.  Here are the instructions that we
printed in “Dance On!” in October 2005.

 

The Russian Ballet

 

Dance for three people, one man with two ladies.

All trios facing the line of dance with man between the ladies and nearer
hands joined.

6/8 Marches

 

The origin of this dance is unknown, although it does predate World War II.
In some areas it is also known as “Butlin’s Ballet”, but whether it was
devised there or just popular is unclear.  The shorter version is seen more
often, but the full version is far more fun!

 

1-4               All march forwards for eight steps

5-8               Still holding hands in line, the trios set twice (four pas
de bas steps), all moving to the right first.

9-16      Each trio dances a reel of three, beginning with the man passing
left shoulders with his right hand partner.

17-24    Again holding hands in line, each three dances “double arches”.
(The man raises his left hand – and therefore the right hand of his
left-hand partner – to make an arch. The right-hand lady passes in front of
the man and underneath this arch, closely followed by the man who of course
is going underneath his own raised arm.  This move is then repeated with the
man raising his right arm, passing his left-hand lady underneath, and
following her through.)

25-26    Still holding hands, each dancer jumps and kicks the right foot
across the left foot, and then jumps and kicks the left foot across the
right.

27-28    Bars 25-26 are repeated.

29-32    The man kisses his right-hand partner, kisses his left-hand
partner, and moves on to the two ladies in front.

The above thirty-two bars are repeated for the duration of the music.

 

Shorter Version

1-4               The trios march forwards for four steps and backwards for
four steps

5-8               Bars 1-4 are repeated

9-12            Still holding hands in line, the trios dance “double
arches”.

13-16        The men move on to the ladies in front.

 

Best wishes,

Karin Ingram

Editor “Dance On!”


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14:23
Sophie Rickebusch

Sophie Rickebusch

May 9, 2007, 12:52 p.m. (Message 48700, in reply to message 48698)

Thanks Karin, looks like a good dance for a New Year's Eve party (or indeed a
wedding).

Sophie

Selon Karin Ingram <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>:

> Sophie asked about The Russian Ballet.  Here are the instructions that we
> printed in “Dance On!” in October 2005.

-- 
Sophie Rickebusch
FR - St Martin d'Heres

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