|
The Russian Ballet
|
Farnborough Version | |
A1 | Promenade in Lines of Three (8) Honour the Right Hand Lady; Honour the Left Hand Lady |
A2 | Swing the Right Hand Lady Swing the Left Hand Lady |
B1 | (Right Hand High & Left Hand Low; Left Hand High & Right Hand Low) x2 |
B2 | Kiss the Right Hand Lady; Kiss the Left Hand Lady The Man does four high kicks, then moves forward to the next two Ladies |
Basingstoke Version | |
A1 | Promenade in Lines of Three (8) Walk Backwards in Lines of Three (8) |
A2 | Arm Right with the Right Hand Lady; Arm Left with the Left Hand Lady Right Hand High & Left Hand Low; Left Hand High & Right Hand Low |
B1 | Kiss the Right Hand Lady; Kiss the Left Hand Lady The Man moves forward to the next two Ladies |
"Dance On!" (October 2005) Version | |
A1 | Promenade in Lines of Three (8) Set Right & Left Twice |
A2 | Hey For Three |
B1 | Right Hand High & Left Hand Low: Left Hand High & Right Hand Low |
B2 | (Jump; Kick Right; Jump, Kick Left) x2 Kiss the Right Hand Lady; Kiss the Left Hand Lady The Man moves forward to the next two Ladies |
"Folk" magazine (No. 3 Jan 1963) Version | |
A1 | Promenade in Lines of Three (8) Stepping on the spot |
A2 | Hey For Three |
B1 | Right Hand High & Left Hand Low: Left Hand High & Right Hand Low |
B2 | Promenade in Lines of Three (4); Walk Backwards in Lines of Three (4) (Step Right; Kick Left; Step Left; Kick Right) x2 The Man moves forward to the next two Ladies during the second set of kicks |
Community Dances Manual (No. 3 1952) Short Version | |
A1 | Promenade in Lines of Three (4); Walk Backwards in Lines of Three (4) Promenade in Lines of Three (4); Walk Backwards in Lines of Three (4) |
B1 | Right Hand High & Left Hand Low: Left Hand High & Right Hand Low The Man moves forward to the next two Ladies |
Community Dances Manual (No. 3 1952) Long Version | |
A1 | Promenade in Lines of Three (8) Balance to Right Hand Lady; Balance to Left Hand Lady |
A2 | Hey For Three |
B1 | Right Hand High & Left Hand Low: Left Hand High & Right Hand Low |
B2 | (Step Left; Kick Right; Step Right; Kick Left) x2 - High Kicks Bow to the Right Hand Lady; Bow to the Left Hand Lady The Man moves forward to the next two Ladies |
Music:
Any suitable 32 bar tune. The CDMs give a tune called "Russian Cavalry"; the "Folk" magazine gives a tune called "The Russian Ballet", which appears to be a variant of that.
Notes:
This dance was published in the Community Dances Manual 3 in 1952. There its name was given as "The Progressive Three Reel". The old Three Reels involved stepping on the spot plus Heys. This dance adds more figures and has the men progressing on to new ladies each time through the dance. It was apparently popular at Holiday Camps, since it was also known as "Butlin's Ballet".
Right Hand High & Left Hand Low: Hold hands in a line of three. The Left Hand Lady goes through the Arch and back to place - the Man follows - the other Lady can twirl through the Arch as well.
Left Hand High & Right Hand Low: The Right Hand Lady goes through the Arch and back to place - the Man follows - the other Lady can twirl through the Arch as well
Farnborough Version: The article says that B1 is repeated. This will be challenging as described. There is more chance of success if both ladies start moving at the same time and Dip 'n' Dive around the man; the man only does half turns through the arches. The ladies should not try to twirl under their own arch; there isn't time. I don't usually encourage that anyway.
While the various manuals just say "kick high", it is normal to step onto the other foot each time before the kick, and to bounce on it unless you are going for significant height!
The various versions allow different lengths of time for the kissing; the "Dance On!" version only provides two beats for each kiss! The Community Dances Manual turns the kiss into a bow!
Original page from English Dance & Song, Summer/Autumn 1982 |
![]() |
Back to Dance Index |
I'd love to hear from you if you know anything more about this dance, its composer, its style, or its history.
Feedback is very welcome on any aspect of these dances or Web pages.
Please contact
You must enable JavaScript to see this e-mail address.
with your comments.
|