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Peter McClure, RSCSD teacher in Winnipeg,
Manitoba:
The Red Thistle Dancers are to be congratulated on undertaking a sequel
to their first instructional video. The dancers show a high level of
skill, at the same time showing the enjoyment of the group interaction
which is one of the best features of Scottish Country Dancing.
Particular congratulations are due their director, Jennifer Kelly, for
undertaking to select the post-basic elements for inclusion in the
collection. While there will be a lot of agreement on what is basic to
SCD, a selection of those elements which should be placed in the next
tier is much less obvious. While I will suggest one or two variations
that I think would have been preferable, I remain very impressed at the
selection that has been made, and at the skill, both in dancing and
directing, that is apparent in the final product.
I did have some reservations, as follows:
The radial (or diagonal, if one prefers) symmetry of certain pairs of
reels of three (those with corners, and most reels across the dance)
should have had more emphasis, to counter the growing tendency for
dancers to try to “mirror” cover such reels;
The movement, turn corner and pass partner, having been chosen for
inclusion: it is unfortunate that the examples showed the corners
dancing three steps and a step-close; perhaps that section should have
had a disclaimer like that given with ladies' chain;
On the question of selection and balance, the left shoulder reel of four
could well have been left out in favour of more attention to the reel of
four across with progression;
Similarly, one of the demonstrations of pas de basque with travel showed
a left foot start (very unusual in actual dancing), while those
situations where travel is required, but the “inconvenient” foot is free
(e.g. crown triangles) were avoided;
The inclusion of a relatively large number of unpublished dances (five
of eighteen) seems questionable, assuming that the video is aimed at a
wide audience; surely, more accessible dances could have been found to
illustrate the various points (if not, the points are likely
sufficiently obscure that they could be left out without compromising
the usefulness of the video);
A leaflet, or cover list showing which dances display which formations
would be very helpful to the user; however, it may be that making such a
list for oneself would be even better.
On the positive side:
Good dancing, quite valuable to see for those who may not have regular
opportunities to participate in an advanced class;
Throughout, a very good treatment of handing, both in the demonstrations
and in the verbal descriptions;
With the slight reservations mentioned above, a good treatment of pas de
basque with travel; retiring pas de basque was especially well done, and
should be helpful to anyone struggling with that movement;
Overall, an excellent response to the challenge of selecting from and
displaying the less common movements in SCD, so that dancers and
teachers with limited opportunities may explore them.
Again, congratulations to the Red Thistle Dancers for having undertaken
a very difficult task, and producing an excellent video. It should have
the effect of encouraging dancers to review their own performance, and
to seek out opportunities, such as workshops and summer schools, where
they may work and exchange ideas with others. If it does, I'm sure the
Red Thistle collective will feel well rewarded.
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