Hole in the Wall.
Source: The Second Part of the Dancing Master, 2nd Ed. written by John Playford and published in 1698.
Steps.
TO BEGIN couples form a line of MEN and WOMEN, each facing their partner. The couple at the top of the set is a FIRST COUPLE, the next couple is a SECOND COUPLE. This number convention continues down the set. If there is an odd number of couples the last couple in the set will rest during the first repetition and enter the dance as a SECOND COUPLE.
- FIRST COUPLES acknowledge their partners, turn to the head of the set and then hook down to the empty space made by the next FIRST COUPLE casting down the set. 6 COUNTS.
- FIRST COUPLES meet in the middle with another acknowledgement of their partner and walk back up the set then back into their original places with another acknowledgement of their partners. 6 COUNTS.
- SECOND COUPLES acknowledge their partners, turn to the bottom of the set and then hook up to the empty space made by the next SECOND COUPLE casting up the set. 6 COUNTS.
- SECOND COUPLES meet in the middle with another acknowledgement of their partner and walk back down the set then back into their original places with another acknowledgement of their partners. 6 COUNTS.
- FIRST MAN meets SECOND WOMAN with their RIGHT palms together. They rotate to the RIGHT and switch places. 6 COUNTS.
- SECOND MAN meets FIRST WOMAN with their RIGHT palms together. They rotate to the RIGHT and switch places. 6 COUNTS.
- FIRST and SECOND COUPLES join hands with partners and the other couple in a circle of four people. The circle rotates to the RIGHT one 1/2 rotation until the FIRST COUPLE is back at the top of the grouping of two couples. 6 COUNTS.
- FIRST COUPLE drops hands and faces the top of the set before turning and hooking down the set to the spot previously held by the SECOND COUPLE. SECOND COUPLE stays with their hands held and advances up one place in the set to the spot that was held by the FIRST COUPLE. 6 COUNTS.
- REPEAT until the music runs out. In a set with an even number of couples one couple will be at rest on the second and every subsequent even repetition of the dance. In a set with an odd number of couples one couple will be at rest at one end of the set or the other on every repetition, including the first time through, as noted above. AFTER RESTING for a repetition the couple will switch to the other numbering. FIRST COUPLES become SECOND COUPLES, etc.
Resources.
- http://www.dcdancenet.com/toyprograms/wall.html
This animation is a bit hard to follow, but does give a good idea of the whole figure. If you can't quite figure out where you're supposed to go in this dance, have a look at this. - http://www.panix.com/~wlinden/dances/hwall.html
Very simple, stripped-down, step instructions. - http://www.izaak.unh.edu/nhltmd/indexes/dancingmaster/Dance/Play4241.htm
A scan of the original notation from the Playford's Manual - http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/lod/vol1/hitwkidnap.html
A seriously advanced 'variation' is to include partner kidnapping. It can be fun, and is supported by evidence that it happened historically. Something to think about.
Music.
The songs in the playlist to the right have been put in order roughly based on which sound the most appropriate for the historical time period. All the versions available seem to use much the same meter.
Free MP3s are available for private and educational purposes, including: |
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