The Sword Dance

Longsword dancing is a type of English folk dance. The 'swords' are actually flat wooden sticks made from ash. The dancers appear to weave themselves and the swords into a series of complicated patterns, building to a climax when one dancer holds aloft 'the lock' (See picture). The dance has the theatrical advantage of looking difficult and complex with a spectacular finish, while actually being very easy to perform.

Ivor Allsop was recommended to David Duffey by the English Folk Dance and Song Society as the world's leading authority on longsword dancing. He is a G&S fan who saw The SavoyNet Trial by Jury at Buxton and was thrilled with the concept of a sword dance in Ruddigore. He has proved to be an excellent teacher whose infectious enthusiasm produces amazing results in a very short time.

Creating the Lock	Karen proudly displaying the finished lock

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