Andrea Ares and Aphrodite Battle of Barham Down Blackwall Tunnel Bonny Morning, The Busking Caper Dainty Delights Damon's Retreat De'll Take the Wars Duke of Rutland's March Easter Holidays Foolish Politician, The Generous Victor George's Dance Grey and Blue Guys and Gals High Spirits Humours of the New Age Hunsdon Lodge Isaac's Whim Jeannie Come Tie My Bonny Cravat King Arthur's Birthday Lady in the Silk Dress Marry and Tarry Mickey and Rickey Mow the Barley Lady Winwood's Whim Ninth of June, The No To War Orleans Defeated Painted Hall Prince Radamistus Rakish Ryan Richard's Maggot Row Hard, Ye Mariners Royal Rigadoon Strawberries and Ice Cream Three Rabbit Hop Tigress, The Violets Are Blue Warrington Awakes Wedding Breakfast, The Whole Hannikin Woodcock, The Wimbledon House 1 Wimbledon House 2 Young Jimmy Young Steven |
In the 17th and early 18th centuries, dances were performed very differently from today. The dancers were elegant and well dressed. There was footwork to learn - sometimes quite intricate steps. English dancing master and choreographer Kellom Tomlinson, (c1690 - c1753) told dancers how to bend and rise or jump in his book, 'The art of dancing explained by reading and figures.' It is not surprising, then, that it sometimes seems as if there is too much music for the available steps, or the whole thing is too slow and plodding.
In this section, I have taken Playford dances and adapted them to modern times, changing steps which do not seem relevant to today, changing triple minors to 3-couple dances and, where the 1s do most of the work, giving the other dancers more to do. In The Foolish Politician, based on Whig's Folly, for example, I have replaced the instruction The men bow, and the women duck down and up again. The feel and style of the original dances are maintained, along with most of the steps, and they all use the original tunes. Many of the dances in this section are suitable for beginners. For an explanation of the various terms used, click here. Authentic Playford contains authentic reconstructions of Playford dances, with no alterations. |