It is said that to be a display dancer all one
needs is:
- Competence at the dance
- Spatial awareness of what is going on, where you and others should be.
- An ability to recover - keep moving, no-one (not many anyway) will notice or know.
- An element of bravado - putting on a show -
enjoying it, showing it, and thereby giving pleasure to others.
However this ignores the vicissitudes of the weather, the inanimate and even the
animate. I offer some of the trials tribulations and joys of being a dancer.
This is neither complete nor apocryphal.
Costume:- Long or short! Plain or fancy? With or without
(kerchiefs)? And that is only the men.
Equipment:- Where are the batteries, Leads? Where is the banner?
What no trolley!
Venues:-
- Dancing in a field vacated by cows only two hours before.
- Where's the Head? Both musical and nautical.
- Dancing Step Stately in the mud with Mr. Blobby!
- Dancing in the rain whilst the Mayor and Festival committee complete with umbrellas sail
by on a bus.
- Competing with, on the one hand the 1,000W Essex Radio Road Show and on the other a
Classical pianist (albeit in a tent).
- Trying to find a reasonably flat area without cambers, cobbles or street furniture.
- Trying not to watch a 60' Bungee Trapeze in case one fell into the canal.
- Wearing fourteen layers to prevent frostbite.
- Suddenly finding a Milk Float in the middle of the set whilst doing a Garland
Processional in a High Street.
- Waiting over an hour for a police car toclose the street as we're regarded as a hazard.
- 90° Heat (both inside and out) Brilliant sunshine, a
hayfield and birthday cake.
- Beautiful Settings - Houses, manicured lawns, trees and flowers.
- A ' try your strength ' machine which one could never win unless you
were a nubile 18 yr old blond.
- Huge arenas with we few in one corner
- Dancing on very small stages, already cluttered where there was really only room for
two.
Aftermath:
- Hot tea when shattered - Nectar!
- Smiles and laughter and even applause.
So Why?
- Because I enjoy dancing and hope that I give pleasure to others.
Happy Dancing.
Alan |
