Video: The Zoologist

The Zoologist
RSCDS Book 46
32-bar jig for three couples in a four couple longwise set

1 – 4 1st couple, giving right hands, cross down and dance out between 2nd and 3rd couples. 1st woman casts up to finish between 2nd couple facing 2nd woman, 1st man casts down to finish between 3rd couple facing 3rd man. 2nd couple step up on bars 1-2.

5 – 8 1st woman and 2nd couple, 1st man and 3rd couple dance half reels of three across the set. To begin, 1st and 2nd women, 1st and 3rd men pass by the left and 1st couple finish facing first corner positions.

9 – 12 2nd woman, 1st couple and 3rd man dance a half reel of four on the first corner diagonal. On bar 12, 1st couple pass by the right to face second corner positions.

13 – 16 2nd man, 1st couple and 3rd woman dance a half reel of four on the second corner diagonal. On bar 16, 1st couple pull back by the right to finish back to back in the middle in second place facing opposite sides.

17 – 24 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance double triangles. On bars 23-24, 1st couple pull back by the right to finish right shoulder to right shoulder in the middle of the set facing opposite sides.

25 – 28 1st man and 3rd couple, 1st woman and 2nd couple dance left hands across once round. 1st couple finish right shoulder to right shoulder in the middle of the set.

29 – 32 1st man, followed by 3rd man and 3rd woman, dances down the women’s side of the set, across at third place and up to second place on own side. 3rd couple finish in original places.
At the same time, 1st woman, followed by 2nd woman and 2nd man, dances up the men’s side, across at first place and down to second place on own side. 2nd couple finish in first place on own sides.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Duncan Brown, Exeter.

Note: Bars 29 — 32 are a variation on a movement devised by Norman Churnside.

In memory of the late Professor Ian Linn, a past Chairman of Exeter Branch.

RSCDS Notes
28 2nd and 3rd couples do not return to sidelines but retain the circular shape of the left hands across.
29 – 32 1st couple are followed by the couples with whom they danced left hands across.

Video: City of Belfast

City of Belfast

32-bar Strathspey for three couples in a three-couple set

1 – 4 1st couple dance a half figure of eight round 2nd couple to finish in partner’s place.

5 – 8 1st man and 2nd woman with left hands, 1st woman and 2nd man with right hands, turn one and a quarter times to finish with 1st couple in the middle back to back, 1st man facing 2nd woman, 1st woman facing 2nd man.

9 – 16 1st and 2nd couples dance a reel of four across the dance in second place, 2nd couple finish in first place and 1st couple passing left shoulders, face 1st corners.

17 – 20 1st couple set to first corners, set to second corners and pulling back right shoulders, finish on the opposite side between corners.

21 – 24 All three couples join hands and set, 1st couple cross giving right hands to finish in second place on own side.

25 – 32 1st and 3rd couples dance the Espagnole. Finish in order 2,3,1.

The Espagnole (devised by John Drewry)

Bars
1 – 2 1st and 3rd women, joining right hands, dance towards the men’s side. On the second step, 1st woman crosses 3rd woman in front of her so that 3rd woman dances out and up towards second place while 1st woman dances out and down towards third place. Meanwhile 1st and 3rd men dance across to the women’s side passing on the outside of their partners.

3 – 4 1st and 3rd men joining right hands, dance back towards their own side passing between their partners. On the fourth step 1st man crosses 3rd man over in front of him so that 3rd man dances out and up towards second place while 1st man dances out and down towards third place. Meanwhile 3rd and 1st women cross back to their own side passing on the outside of their partners.

5 – 8 3rd couple turn with the right hand while 1st couple turn with the left hand.

Original Tune composed by Marian Anderson
Dance devised by Lucy Mulholland