From: Karin Ingram To: SCD news and discussion Date: Wed, 9 May 2007 11:11:46 +0100 Subject: Russian Ballet The Russian Ballet Dance for three people, one man with two ladies. Printed in "Dance On!" in October 2005. All trios facing the line of dance with man between the ladies and nearer hands joined. Music: 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.