Three Couple Set Dances

In all of these dances (unless marked otherwise), the man will be standing to the left of the woman. Men offer their hands palm up to the women, generally aim to have the hands be at the woman's waist. For more explanation on the basic steps, see Basic Figures.

Black Nag

3 Couple Longways Set
Set up with all facing up the hall with holding hands with partner in a 'skaters grip' (partners take left hands and right hands with the rights above the lefts)

A1
Double Forward, Double Back.
A2
Double Forward, Double Back. All turn to face partner (keep hands).

B1
Couple1 takes 4 Slip Steps up the hall, then Couple2, then Couple3. All drop hands and Turn Single. Rejoin hands with partner in the 'skaters grip.'
B2
Couple3 takes 4 Slip Steps back to place, then Couple2, then Couple1. All drop hands and Turn Single.

A1
Side Right with partner.
A2
Side Left with partner.

B1
With 4 Slip Steps leading left shoulders: Diagonal1 (Man1, Woman3) changes places, Diagonal2 (Woman1, Man3) changes places, then Couple2 changes places. All Turn Single.
B2
With 4 Slip Steps leading left shoulders: Diagonal1 changes back, then Diagonal2, then Couple2. All Turn Single.

A1
Arm Right with partner, double clap.*
A2
Arm Left with partner, double clap.*

B1
Men Hey 1 time through and Turn Single, while women clap to the beat.
B2
Women Hey 1 time through and Turn Single, while men clap to the beat. Note: Women must turn into place and immediately take hands with partner to go into the 2nd time through.

Repeat the entire dance. *The double clap after arming is a Thrir Venstri Foetr variation that only occurs in this one dance.

End Black Nag


Chestnut

3 Couple Longways Set

A1
Take inside hands with partner. Double Forward, Double Back.
A2
Double Forward, Double Back, drop hands. All turn to face partner, take hands in gender lines (center person offers hands palm up).

B1
Single Back, Single Forward, drop hands and pass through the other line (passing partner right shoulder to right shoulder), Couple2 goes a little bit further, turns to face the set, gender lines form circle and circle clockwise 1 time around, break back out into gender lines (keeping hands with center person throughout figure).
B2
Single Back, Single Forward, drop hands and pass through the other line (passing partner right shoulder to right shoulder), Couple2 goes a little bit further, turns to face the set, gender lines form circle and circle clockwise 1 time around, break back out into gender lines (keeping hands with center person throughout figure).

A1
Drop hands, Side right with partner.
A2
Side left with partner. Take hands in gender lines.

B1
Single Back, Single Forward, drop hands and pass through the other line, do 1/2 Mirror Hey without hands (each with own gender line - Couple1 starts). At end, Couple1 will be at the foot of the set and Couple3 will be at the head of the set. Rejoin hands in gender lines.
B2
Single Back, Single Forward, drop hands and pass through the other line, do 1/2 Mirror Hey without hands (Couple1 starts from the foot of the set).

A1
Arm right with partner.
A2
Arm left with partner, take hands in gender lines.

B1
Single Back, Single Forward, drop hands and pass through the other line, all face towards the head of the set. Each couple in turn will move to the head of the set, cast towards the inside and lead down the middle (with hands) as couples. At end, Couple1 will be at the foot of the set and Couple3 will be at the head of the set. Rejoin hands in gender lines.
B2
Single Back, Single Forward, drop hands and pass through the other line, all face down towards the foot of the set. Each couple in turn will move to the foot and cast out and move back to original place (acknowledge partner before casting).

End Chestnut

Greensleeves

3 Couple Set Dance
A1
Couple1 Set and cast into 2nd place while Couple2 moves up. Couple2 Set and cast into 2nd place while Couple1 moves up. Couple1 Set and cast into 2nd place while Couple2 moves up. Couple2 Set and cast into 2nd place while Couple1 moves up.
A2
Man1 figure 8 through Couple3 (around Woman3 first) while Woman1 figure 8 around Couple2.
Couple1 pass partner by the right, each figure-8 with the next couple. Couple1 passes by the right.

B1
Man1 and Couple3 join; Woman1 and Couple2 join hands each circle 1 1/2 times. Couple1 passes by the right. Man1 circles with Couple2 while Woman1 circles with Couple3 To create more space (and prevent set creep) it seems to work to move up the hall on the circles.
B2
Couple1 passes by the right, Man1 does a Hey with Couple3 while Woman1 does a Hey with Couple2. Couple1 passes by the right Man1 Hey with Couple2 while Woman1 Hey with Couple3 Couple meets in 2nd place and leads down to third while Couple3 moves up.
Repeat dance 3 times

End Greensleeves

Grimstock

3 Couple Longways Set

A1
Take inside hands, Double Forward, Double Back. Set and turn

A2
Take inside hands, Double Forward, Double Back. Set and turn

B
Side by side mirror Hey (without hands) with Couple1 starting by going down the set between Couple2

A1
Side right. Set and turn

A2
Side left. Set and turn

B1
All take hands with partner. Hey while holding hands, Couple1 goes under Couple2 then over Couple3. Couple2 then goes under Couple3 and over Couple1. Couple3 then goes under Couple1 and over Couple2 back to home. The Hey continues to move with a slight pause as each couple reaches and end and waits for the next over/under couple to be ready. (Note that the inside/outside of the set matches the first Hey).

A1
Arm right. Set and turn

A2
Arm left. Set and turn

B
Mirror Hey crossing at head and foot - woman always crosses in front of her partner
Couple1 crosses between Couple2 which moves up the outside, while Couple3 crosses between Couple1 (improper).
Couple2 then crosses and goes between Couple3 which moves up the outside (improper) while Couple1 turns at the foot, crosses and goes between Couple2 (improper).
Couple3 turns and crosses between Couple1 which moves up the outside while Couple2 crosses at the foot and goes between Couple3 back to place.

End Grimstock

The Installation

3 Couple Set Dance - Music is ABCD
A
Cross-over Mirror Hey with Hands (see Prince William

B
Couple1 1/2 figure 8 through Couple2. All two-hand turn with partner
Couple3 1/2 figure 8 through Couple2. All two-hand turn with partner

C
Join hands in circle. Step left (swing R over), step R (swing left over), step L (swing right over), step R (swing R over)
Do three changes of a circular hey with hands (Couple1 starts with partner, Couple2 and Couple3 start along the sides of the set (Man2 with Woman3)).
Join hands in circle. Step left (swing R over), step R (swing left over), step L (swing right over), step R (swing R over)
Do three changes of a circular hey with hands (Couple1 now at foot starts with partner, Couple2 and Couple3 start along the sides of the set (Man2 with Woman3)).

D
Couple1 crosses and casts down while Couple2 moves up
Couple1 does 1/2 figure 8 through the top.
Couple1 and Couple3 do 5 changes of a circular hey (at foot of dance).
Couple1 casts to foot while Couple3 moves up

End The Installation

Jealousia/Gelosia/Gelousea

Three couple set dance

All 3 couples do 8 saltarelli forward
Man1 does 3 contrapassi around Woman1 to reverence Woman2
Man2 does 1 Saltarello to Man1's place
Man1 does 3 contrapassi around Woman2 to reverence Woman3
Man3 does 1 Saltarello to Man2's place
Man1 does 1 Saltarello behind Woman3 to Man3's place
   Couples are now
  W1    W2    W3
  M2    M3    M1
All 3 couples do 8 Pive forward
Couple1 turns out from each other ending facing the music, then Couple2, then Couple3
Partners take right hands and do 3 Sempii to trade places, then take left hands and do 3 Sempii to return to place.
Men end with mezavolta to face forward and take partner's hand
Repeat dance twice more until men return to their starting place

End Jealousia

Maiden Lane

Three couple set dance

A1
Double Forward, Double Back.
A2
Double Forward, Double Back

B1
Face out the men's side, double forward, double back
B2
Mirror hey (fast)

C1
Set and turn
C2
Set and turn

A1
Side Right
A2
Side Left

B1
Facing partner, Double Back, Double Forward, change places
B2
Double Back, Double Forward, change places

C1
Set and turn
C2
Set and turn

A1
Arm Right
A2
Arm Left

B1
Man1 and Woman2 change places
Woman1 and Man2 change places while Couple3 changes places.
B2
Woman1 and Man3 change places
Man1 and Woman3 change places while Couple2 changes places

C1
Set and turn
C2
Set and turn
Repeat the dance 3 times

End Maiden Lane

Picking Up Sticks

3 Couple Longways Set
Set up facing up the hall holding inside hands.

A1
Take inside hands with your partner. Double Forward, double back.

B1
Double Forward, double back. Drop hands.

A1
Man1 changes places with Woman2 (both leading left shoulders facing, taking 4 slip steps). Man1 continues and changes places with Man3 (no turning in the middle, continue leading left shoulder so that the figure is similar to a parenthesis or a greater than).

B1
All join hands, (inactive person offers hand if the couple is same gender). Double forward, double back. Drop hands.

A1
Woman1 changes places with Man2 (both leading left shoulders facing, taking 4 slip steps). Woman1 continues and changes places with Woman3 (no turning in the middle, continue leading left shoulder so that the figure is similar to a parenthesis or a greater than).

B1
All join hands, (inactive person offers hand if the couple is same gender). Double forward, double back. Drop hands.

A1
Woman2 (from Man1 place) changes places with Man3 (both leading left shoulders facing, taking 4 slip steps). Woman2 continues and changes places with Man1 (no turning in the middle, continue leading left shoulder so that the figure is similar to a parenthesis or a greater than).

B1
All join hands, (inactive person offers hand if the couple is same gender). Double forward, double back. Drop hands.

A1
Man2 (from Woman1 place) changes places with Woman3 (both leading left shoulders facing, taking 4 slip steps). Man2 continues and changes places with Woman1 (no turning in the middle, continue leading left shoulder so that the figure is similar to a parenthesis or a greater than).

B1
All join hands, (inactive person offers hand if the couple is same gender). Double forward, double back. Drop hands.

A1
Man3 (from Man1 place) changes places with Man1 (both leading left shoulders facing, taking 4 slip steps). Man3 continues and changes places with Woman2 (no turning in the middle, continue leading left shoulder so that the figure is similar to a parenthesis or a greater than).

B1
All join hands, (inactive person offers hand if the couple is same gender). Double forward, double back. Drop hands.

A1
Woman3 (from Woman1 place) changes places with Woman1 (both leading left shoulders facing, taking 4 slip steps). Woman3 continues and changes places with Man2 (no turning in the middle, continue leading left shoulder so that the figure is similar to a parenthesis or a greater than).

B1
All join hands, (inactive person offers hand if the couple is same gender). Double forward, double back. Drop hands.

A1
Man1 changes places with Woman2 (both leading left shoulders facing, taking 4 slip steps). Man1 continues and changes places with Man3 (no turning in the middle, continue leading left shoulder so that the figure is similar to a parenthesis or a greater than).

B1
All join hands, (inactive person offers hand if the couple is same gender). Double forward, double back. Drop hands.

C1
Side right.

C2
Side left.

C3
Shuttles and Cocks
Couple1 joins 2 hands across the set and slip steps down to Couple2 spot while Couple2 step apart and slip steps up the outside. Couple2 then joins hands across the set and slip steps down to home while Couple1 drops hands and slip steps up to the head. Then Couple1 again joins 2 hands across the set and slip steps down to Couple2 spot while Couple2 slip steps up the outside. Couple2 then joins hands across the set and slip steps down to home while Couple1 drops hands and slip steps up to the head.
WHILE Couple1 & Couple2 do the shuttles and cocks figure twice, Couple3 pulls through by the right, casts up the set, crosses at the head (Woman3 closer to the set) and back to place (once).

C4
Shuttles and Cocks
Couple3 joins 2 hands across the set and slip steps up to Couple2 spot while Couple2 steps apart and slip steps down the outside. Couple2 then joins hands across the set and slip steps up to home while Couple3 drops hands and slip steps down to the foot. Then Couple3 again joins 2 hands across the set and slip steps up to Couple2 spot while Couple2 slip steps down the outside. Couple2 then joins hands across the set and slip steps up to home while Couple3 drops hands and slip steps down to the foot.
WHILE Couple3 & Couple2 do the shuttles and cocks figure twice, Couple1 pulls through by the right, casts down the set, crosses at the foot (Woman1 closer to the set) and back to place (once)

D1
Arm right with partner.

D2
Arm left with partner.

D3
Women stand while men do a sheepskin Hey around them (skipping). Man1 leads around the head, between Woman1 and Woman2, in front of Woman2 then around Woman3. As Man3 passes Woman2, she leads him around her (taking a short cut) and he is now leading the Hey. He continues around Woman1 (followed by Man1). Man2 is now led around Woman2 and is leading going around Woman3 followed by Man3. Man1 is lead around Woman2 (and back into the lead) and Man1 leads the line around Woman1 and down the outside of the set then up the set returning to place.

D4
Men now stand while women do the sheepskin Hey around them (skipping). Woman1 leads around the head, between Man1 and Man2, in front of Man2 then around Man3. As Woman3 passes Man2, he leads her around him (taking a short cut) and she is now leading the Hey. She continues around Man1 (followed by Woman1). Woman2 is now led around Man2 and is leading going around Man3 followed by Woman3. Woman1 is lead around Man2 (and back into the lead) and Woman1 leads the line around Man1 and down the outside of the set then up the set returning to place.
End Picking Up Sticks


Prince William

3 Couple Longways Set with Progressions
Set up in gender lines facing partners. At the final beat (or chord) of intro, turn so that Couple1 faces diagonally down the set (Man1 facing between Woman2 and Woman3; Woman1 facing between Man2 and Man3); Couple2 faces up the set, Couple3 joins inside hands and faces up the set. This is a non-standard Playford dance.

A1
The three couples perform a mirror Hey with hands with Couple1 crossing at the head of the set. See ** for a thorough description of the Hey. At the end of this Hey, Couple1 will be improper, Couple2 and Couple3 will be proper.
A2
Continue mirror Hey with Couple1 crossing at the head of the set so that they are on the proper side of the dance again. End with all facing partners again.

B1
Couple1 (without pausing from the Hey) pulls through by the right to cast down the outside while Couple2 moves up (taking two steps sideways). Couple1 meets in the middle and does a Two-Hand Turn 1 1/2 times around and falls back into line.
B2
Couple2 pulls through by the right to cast down the outside while Couple1 moves up (taking two steps sideways). Couple2 meets in the middle and does a Two-Hand Turn 1 1/2 times around and falls back into line.

A1
Man1 goes down to Woman3 and turns her by the right while Woman1 goes to Man2 and turns him by the right. [Note that both Man1 and Woman1 should start moving at the same time with Woman1 going behind Man1.] On the 2nd and 3rd beats of the phrase, Woman2 takes taking two steps sideways up the hall. Man2 comes out of the turn in line with both Woman2 and Man3 (to keep the set square). Couple1 meets in the middle and turns by the left (1 1/4 turns).
A2
Man1 now slowly turns Woman2 by the right while Woman1 slowly turns Man3 by the right. Couple1 turns by the left in the center of the dance (1 turn). Man1 will do an extra turn so that his arm is across his chest. Couple1 is now facing out of the set between Woman2 and Woman3.

B1
Couple1 leads out the middle of the women's side, casts around the women to the center of the dance (man through the head, woman through the foot), meets and turns by the right (approx. 1 1/2) until the woman does the extra turn. Couple1 is now facing out of the set between Man2 and Man3.
B2
Couple1 leads out the middle of the men's side and casts around the men back to the center of the dance (woman through the head, man through the foot), meets and does a two-hand turn clockwise (1 1/2 turns) into 3rd position. On the 2nd and 3rd beats of the phrase for the turn, Couple3 takes two steps sideways up to 2nd position. All turn to restart the dance from their new position.

**Mirror Hey with hands and crossing
Couple1 crosses (woman in front) and each goes out between the 2nd and 3rd dancer of the opposite side, while Couple2 moves up the outside, turns and joins inside hands facing down, while Couple3 moves between Couple1 and then drops hands. Couple2 proceeds down the set (with hands) between Couple3 while Couple3 moves up the outside, turns and joins inside hands facing down the set while Couple1 turns in at the bottom and joins inside hands facing up the set.

At the half-way point of the Hey, Couple3 is holding hands facing down, Couple1 is holding hands facing up (in the improper positions) and Couple2 is moving down and splitting out to make room for Couple1 to move up the dance.

Couple1 starts to lead up the set. Couple2 splits out and around them to join hands at the bottom of the set. Couple1 goes between Couple2 and then splits out so that Couple3 can lead down between Couple1 Couple3 then splits so that Couple2 can lead up back to place.

End Prince William


Scotch Cap

3 Couple Longways Set

A1
Take inside hands with partner. Double Forward, Double Back.
A2
Double Forward, Double Back, drop hands.

B1
Short diagonals (Woman1, Man2; Woman2, Man3) turn to face each other, balance back, balance forward. Change places turning as you pass so you are always facing the person (and backing into their place), face across set. Long diagonal (Woman3, Man1) turn to face each other, change places turning as you pass so you are always facing the person (and backing into their place), turn to face across set.
B2
Short diagonals turn to face each other, balance back, balance forward. Change places turning as you pass so you are always facing the person (and backing into your original place), face partner. Long diagonal turn to face each other, change places turning as you pass so you are always facing the person (and backing into your original place), face partner.

A1
Side right with partner.
A2
Side left with partner. Take hands in gender lines.

B1
All Double Back, short Double Forward. Woman1, Woman3 turn to face each other and Arm right. Man1, Man3 turn to face each other, Arm right. Couple2 Arm right.
B2
Reform gender lines (with hands). All Double Back, Double Forward. Two-Hand Turn with partner.

A1
Arm right with partner.
A2
Arm left with partner. Continue to face partner.

B1
Lines Slip Step left one pair of dancers at a time (Man1/Woman3, Man2/Woman2, Man3/Woman1). End in a single line (men facing down the set, women facing up) with Man3 and Woman1 holding right hands. Hey with hands back to place.
B2
Lines Slip Step right one pair of dancers at a time (Man3/Woman1, Man2/Woman2, Man1/Woman3). End in a single line (women facing down the set, men facing up) with Man1 and Woman3 holding left hands. Hey with hands back to place.

End Scotch Cap


Step Stately

3 Couple Longways Set with Progressions

A1
Take inside hands with partner, Double Forward, the lines pass through each other (women in front) with a slight pull-through and turn to face out, take hands in gender lines.
A2
Gender lines do 8 Slip Steps away from the set (as if casting) and meets the other line at the foot, Couple1 takes inside hands (thus forming a single line of 6 dancers). Note: it is much easier for Couple3 to get around the cast if you do a round 'crack the whip' instead of a heart-shaped one.

B1
Double Forward, Double Back.
B2
Couple1 drops hands, gender lines do 8 Slip Steps back to place (women's line passes in front of men's line).

A1
Couple1 takes inside hands, leads up the hall, drops hands, turns in toward each other, takes inside hands, and leads back to place.
A2
Take hands four with Couple2, circle clockwise 1/2 way around. Man1, Woman2 change places on the diagonal. Men face each other.

B1
Woman1 and Woman2 do a 1/2 figure 8 around Man1, Man2 with Woman1 first.
B2
Man1 and Man2 pull through by the right and turn partner by the left back into place.

A1
Man1 and Woman1 pull through by the left and cast down to 2nd place, while Couple2 takes 2 Bransle steps up the hall. Couple1 pass each other (leading left shoulders) and fall into gender lines.
A2
Gender lines take hands (Couple1, now in the middle of the lines, will be backing into place with palms down, Couple2 and 3 need to catch them). Double Back, Double Forward.

B1
Couple2 and Couple3 pass partner (leading left shoulder), Couple1 leads out the top of the set and Casts to foot. Couple2 and Couple3 pass their opposite (same gender person), still moving to the left, and take hands four.
B2
Couple2 and Couple3 circle clockwise 1/2 way, while Couple1 Arms right at the foot. Reform the set.

Repeat 2 more times (once from each position).
Thrir Venstri Foetr has a convention of reverence partner, then all face forward, Couple1 takes 2 steps out, Couple2 takes one step out and all reverence the audience.

End Step Stately


Trip to Tunbridge

3 Couple Longways Set with Progressions
Set up in gender lines facing partners. This is a non-standard Playford dance.

A1
Couple1 casts down the outside of the set to below the 3rd couple. Acknowledge each other across the set (usually in a teasing manner), and casts back to place.
A2
Couple1 joins hands and leads down the inside of the set (usually fairly stately). Drop hands, turn in (towards each other), rejoin hands facing up the set and skipping lead up the set and cast around the 2nd Couple (who move up).

B1
Couple1 (without pausing) pass their partner by the right shoulder and turn the person on their right by the right hand 1 turn (Man1 turns Woman3, Woman1 turns Man2 who is now in the 1 position). The inactive people just turned stay facing out of the set while the active couple continues on.
Couple1 passes by the right and each turns the next person by the right (Man1 turns Woman2 (in the 1st position), Woman1 turns Man3). The inactive just turned stays facing out of the set while Couple1 passes by the right.
B2
In gender lines (Couple1 joins hands with the inactives) all double forward and double back. Couple2 drops hands from the gender line turns in and does a 2 hand turn with partner. They are now going to be the ones. Man3 gates Man1 and Woman3 gates Woman1 so that Couple1 is now Couple3 and the former Threes have moved up to the Twos' position.

Repeat 2 more times (once from each position).

End Trip to Tunbridge

Whirligig

3 Couple Longways Set with Progressions

This is a complex dance and I am giving the repeat counts that the musicians use. It may sound to the dancers as if it is 2 A phrases, but it isn't. Note: Couple2 is Active in this dance. In this particular dance, the 'standard' figures (doubles, siding, and arming) are separated by the verses which are different for each active couple. We voted on 08/31/99 to modify this from the way we had been performing it. The new version is to have the set do one verse & chorus, progress, do the second verse & chorus with new active, progress, do the third verse & chorus, progress, end.

A1
Take inside hands with partner. Double Forward, Double Back.

A2
Double Foward, Double Back.

B1
Couple1 and Couple3 turn to face partner (stepping slightly back), WHILE Couple2 leads up between Couple1, drops hands, casts around Couple1 and does a half figure-8 around Couple1 (Woman1 crosses in front of partner).

B2
Couple2 leads down between Couple3 casts up and does a half figure-8 through Couple3 (Woman1 crosses first) and back to place. All join hands with partner and face up the set.

Progression (same music as A)
[A1] Couple1 casts while Couple2 and Couple3 lead up the set with their partner, nods at their partner while dropping hands on the musical cue, and casts to the foot of the set.
[A2] Couple1 meet, face each other, join hands and form an arch (it can be a virtual arch to allow the others to fit between the couple but at least have some slant on the top). Couple2 meet, join hands, duck under the arch and lead to the top of the set to become the new Couple1, Couple3 meet, join hands, duck under the arch and lead up the set to become the new Couple2. Couple1 is now Couple3.

A1
Side Right with partner

A2
Side Left with partner.

B1 - Note: 1, 2, 3 refer to CURRENT positions.
Man1 faces Woman1. Woman1 faces diagonally down the set. Woman3 faces Man3, Man3 faces diagonally up the set. Couple2 splits, each goes 45 degrees to their own left and out the end of the set (i.e. Woman2 out the foot, Man2 out the head) and turns their corner by the right 1 1/2 turns and drops hands while continuing in the same direction. The corner then starts a three-person Hey with the other person at their end of the set (who starts moving as soon as the hands have been dropped). The Couple2 person comes out of the Hey on their original side of the set and starts to cross the set diagonally (toward opposite gender on the opposite end of the set).

B2
Couple2 finishes the cross and goes out the new ends (Man2 out the foot, Woman2 out the head) and turns their corner by the left 1 1/2 turns and drops the hand while continuing the turn. The corner then starts a three-person Hey with the other person at their end of the set (who starts moving as soon as the hands have been dropped). The Couple2 person comes out of the Hey on their original side of the set and returns to place. All join hands with partner and face up the set.

Progression

A1
Arm Right with partner

A2
Arm Left with partner.

B1 - Note: 1, 2, 3 refer to CURRENT positions
Couple3 faces down the set (no hands), Couple1 does a very short cast back to place followed by Couple2 and all do a right-hand star back into position. Women turn to the left to go into the star. Man2 turns to the right coming out of the star.

B2
Couple2 leads down the set (with hands), and follows Couple3 who do a very short cast back to place, all do a left-hand star back into position. Women turn to the right to go into the star. Men turn to the right coming out of the star and take hands with partner for the progression.

Progression
Comments: If you hear the progression music, stop what you are doing and progress. The arches can be faked a bit to allow people to fit through them. In the Hey, the timing is very critical. The active couple must take 'closer' hands with their opposite into the turn, drop hands with him/her and the opposites start the Hey with their own partners while the actives follow them into it. On the stars, if the cast isn't kept tight enough, the active couple doesn't have time to get back into place to get into the star.

The original Playford dance did not have progressions at all. Thrir Venstri Foetr has experimented with doing the dance with the 'standard Playford verses' 1 time followed by three sets of 'chorus' (Figure-8, hey, star) and progressions, followed by the next Playford Verse. New this year is the so-called abbreviated version of 1 verse, 1 chorus, progress, 2 verse, 2 chorus, progress, 3 verse, 3 chorus, progress end.

End Whirligig

Upon A Summers Day

3 Couple Longways Set
Dance starts with couples holding inside hands and facing forwards.

A1
Double Forward, Double Back; drop hands; set and turn

A2
Rejoin hands; Double Forward, Double Back; drop hands; set and turn

Chorus

B1
Join hands in gender lines (men join hands in line, women join hands in a line) facing the other line. Men double forward WHILE women double back; women double forward WHILE men double back. Top couple leaves the gender lines, joins hands and leads down between the next couple, drop hands ands and duck under the arch formed by their gender line (Man1 goes under arch formed by Man2 and Man3; Woman1 goes under arch formed by Woman2 and Woman3) and end up in the gender line in position 3. Meanwhile the people in position 2 and three form the arch and slowly take bransle steps up the hall.

B2
Join hands in gender lines; Women double forward while Men double back; then Men double forward while Women double back. Couple2 (now in Couple1 position) does the lead down, drop hands and go under the arch while the 3s and 1s move up.

B3
Join hands in gender lines; Men double forward while Women double back then Women double forward while Men double back. Couple3 now leads down and through the arches while the 1s and 2s move up.

At the end of the chorus the set should be reformed in the same spot. There tends to be a LOT of set creep with the moving up the set while forming arches.

A1
Side Right with partner, set and turn

A2
Side Left with partner, set and turn

B1
Form gender lines, Women double forward while Men double back, then Men double forward while Women double back; Couple1 goes down through the arch
B2
Gender lines, Men go forward first
B3
Women go forward first

A1
Arm Right with partner, set and turn

A2
Arm Left with partner, set and turn

Chorus is same as the first time through (Men go forward first).

The directions in Playford have the two lines go toward each other then back (moving closer then away). This group has decided to modify those directions so that the spacing between the lines is fairly constant but the set as a whole moves from side to side. We alternate who moves forward first with the Men's line starting the dance by moving forward. If you look at the choruses as a group you have: Men forward and back; Women forward and back; Men forward and back (Chorus1); Women forward and back; Men forward and back; Women forward and back (Chorus2); Men forward and back; Women forward and back; Men forward and back (Chorus3). With the opposite line moving to keep the distance stable. We tend to play up 'threatening' to step on each other's feet BUT if the lines stay stable AND people Double Left forward and Double Right back; there will be no actual foot contact.

End Upon A Summers Day



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