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Morris dancers made my day
By Amanda SkoogSir Frederick Ashton’s inspiration for the clog dance in the ballet La Fille mal gardée was Morris dancing and so as ex-dancers it was with great anticipation that we awaited the arrival of the Aldbury Morris Men at the Old Swan Pub in Swan Bottom.
Donning our clogs (later discovered they don’t wear clogs; we should have worn trainers) we skipped across the lane as the music started up. Joined by our lovely neighbours we all had a go – except Billy the dog who was definitely unsure. The highlights of the evening were the horse, a real pro who died and was revived by the kiss of a virgin, the impressive stick-dancing (sorry Tim, children couldn’t resist joining in using your garden canes) and the lead violinist (or do you call it the fiddle?) who arrived in the nick of time, literally falling out of the back of a car.
Although not up to Covent Garden standards (younger members of the corps de ballet could have done with a little extra rehearsal) we had a really happy and memorable English summer’s evening.
As a Kiwi I couldn’t help comparing it to our national dance, the Haka. Despite this being performed by half-clad often rather fit men, you can give me a glass of wine and hanky-waving Morris Dancing at the Old Swan any day.