Don Perley (Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:48) wrote: > That brings up the question of what is a Becket? In my mind defining > element, besides the starting position, is the couples progressing > along the side of the set, and around the end without having to switch > places while waiting out.
The number one reason for calling any dance a Becket is the starting position. Having a name for it tells the dancers how to form the set. > This one appears to be a conventional duple improper dance, except > with the A and B parts switched so couples happen to be on the same > side as starting position. That is, progression happens at start of B > with partners on opposite sides of the set. No matter how or when the progression is done (Herbie Gaudreau's "Becket Reel", which was the first, used a diagonal right and left through in the B1), the *result* of the progression is that each time the dance starts, they have progressed along the side of the set. From early on the progression has been achieved in a variety of ways and in a variety of sections in the dance. It is useful (to dance composers and in programming an evening) to understand that what's often the reason for writing a dance as a Becket is *so that there's a partner swing as the last move*. A duple improper can't have a partner swing as the last move. This is not always the case, of course. Becket Reel ended with star left and right. The novelty in the Becket Reel, I believe was using the diagonal move for progression. It has also been published under the name "Bucksaw Reel". ~ Becky Nankivell Tucson, Ariz. & Long Beach, Calif. On Wed, Mar 14, 2012 at 2:36 PM, Michael Barraclough <mich...@michaelbarraclough.com> wrote: > Does anyone have this dance already? > > Becket > > A1 ?Partner balance and box the gnat, ending in a long wavy line > ? ? ? ?Partner balance right and left, Rory O'More spin right > > A2 ?Balance the ring and petronella spin right one place > ? ? ? ?Balance the ring and partner California Twirl > > B1 ?New neighbor balance and swing > > B2 ?Give and take (ladies take, partner swing) > > > Michael Barraclough > www.michaelbarraclough.com >
