REVIVAL OF NATIONAL DANCES

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 27, 1 February 1929, Page 11

REVIVAL OF NATIONAL DANCES

Scottish reels have now made their appearance at London parties. Both the foursome and eightsome reels were danced at Christmas, states a London writer. ' The reel danced to bright and lively music has an air of gaiety and happy informality about it which makes a party go from start to finish. It is a good mixer, as much a mixer as Paul Jones, which is included in most dance programmes. .. Paul Jones began its career in EngI land at children's parties, with two cirI cles of dancers revolving in contrary directions, girls in the centre, joining hands facing their partners. ; As the music ceases, the boy and girl opposite ono another dance away. To make it still more lively, there should be more boys than girls, and a suggestion of a; scuffle for a prize. The return of the picture gown may revive some of tho, old-world dances. At Bath' in the days of Beau Nash picturesque fan dances were in great request and. showed off the gowns of the day. ■ . There are older dances than this. The Fandango is of Spanish origin and is a measure danced in rapid triple time, the rhythm further accentuated by smart tapping of heels as Well as castanets or snapping of fingers. ; It is usu-. ally played to the Spanish National air, and has always been a source of inspiration in its native country. To-day the cult of Greek dancing is carried on mainly by. children, who show a natural inclination for the poetry of motion, but in earlier times dancing was almost a.religion at. Athens. It kept old age at bay, which was necessary when every man was a soldier and had to keep agile and supple. With men as with women it was through their dancing that thoy kept fit. ■ Any national dance is fascinating apart from its history, for there frs tho enticing rhythm, emphasising time, making a musical background for the dancers whose high-spirited gaiety is even more infections' when they aro in national dress. ' ' ;; Why should not h istcsses revive the Irish jig, or some of the old Welsh dances that were such a feature at Ccl : tic weddings danced to the strains of the harp? Let these bo supplemented' with the Victorian polka, pas-dc-quatre, mazurka and gavotte.