PLAYING (in) THE FIELD
Gary Roodman
A Square for Four Couples
Historical English Style
Tune: PLAYING (in) THE FIELD
A 1-4 Taking hands-eight circle left halfway around,
5-8 With partner, gypsy right almost once around (plenty
of time for this), but
9-10 M, as you come around in the gypsy, catch your
corner’s eye, maybe hesitate a moment, and then
loop out into her partner’s (former) place, while W
move to the center, stand back-to-back for a
moment and then turn right back to original
places. [This is your new partner.]
1-4 INTRODUCTION TO NEW PARTNER:
Each M in turn (ccw), beginning with the M now
in 1st position, step into the center of the set to
face current partner. (At the end, all M have their
backs to the center, and women should adjust so
that there are two straight lines of four crossing in
the center.)
5-12 HEYS FOR FOUR THROUGH THE CENTER:
(i) Everyone pass partner by the R;
(ii) W Left hand star halfway in the middle, while M loop
R on the outside;
(iii) Everyone pass R with opposite person (who is
now on your side);
(iv) M Left hand star halfway in the middle, while W loop
R on the outside;
(v) Everyone pass R with partner (you are both now
crossed over);
(vi) W Left hand star halfway in the middle, while M loop
R on the outside and end facing ccw ready to
receive their opposite person with L hand.
(All now facing ccw.)
C 1-2 SQUARE LEADS: With this person, lead
straight out along the side of the the square (not
around the circle).
3-4 Face this person and women draw current man to
new positions along the sides of the set (“heads"
are now “sides”, and vice versa), wot
5-8 GRAND SQUARE: Current head couples lead to
the center, meet partner, turn 1/4 to fall back to the
sides with partner, while side couples fall back from
each other, turn to face partner, and meet in head
positions.
9-10 Everyone 2HT halfway with partner.
[W in original places, M progressed one place to the left.]
MUSIC: “Entree”, Mirtirtillo Suite, from Pastor Fido by G. F. Handel
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf8wQslOsoQ
Teaching Points:
This dance is a bit of a teaching challenge, but
in my experience dancers ultimately find it quite logical.
(1) The timing of the gypsy and progression in A 9-10 usually
requires a bit of practice with the music.
(2) The pace in B 5-8 is deliberate without rushing—6 passes
over 8 two-beat bars. The women go across the set and
come back, while the men go across and stay there.
(3) Orientation at end of the B music: Before teaching the dance, have everyone change places with partner so that they wheel as a couple a quarter turn to the right, so that they are standing like spokes of a wheel facing square.
