NUTS IN MAY - LICHFIELD

Source

:

Derived from the Lichfield mss, Ring Instructionals and filming of Green Man Morris. One view of the origin of the Lichfield dances is that a number of dancers from different West Midland places were brought together and their dances rationalised when the last Lichfield team was formed. They were reputed to be mostly coal merchants. The oddest dance is "Nuts in May" which looks like a Four Handed dance cobbled together with figures to be consistent with the rest. This is a suggestion of how it might be done for four.

Music

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A jig like "Nuts In May".

Steps

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Lichfield Caper - described as "caper-caper-swing-&-change". The steps are R L hL R, the first being two springs or low capers, falling-back or drawing-back a little, then the right leg is bent back vigorously, while there is a deemphasised hop or body rise and fall which can not be avoided, then there is a high caper moving forward to change feet. The body should be upright and not leaning forward for the leg swing-back of the third movement. The hands start from out at side and swing up and out a little on step one, in and down in a large movement on step two, up and out on step three and throw out on four.

 

:

Scissors Step - not described in mss but interpreted as cross legs left in front, legs apart, cross legs right in front and land feet together, side by side. When carrying a stick it is held up above head level. Afterwards the arms can be crossed and swung apart in time with the legs.

Set

:

The four dancers start in a single line, 1> 2> <3 <4.

 

FIGURES

1.

Step on the spot, carrying a stick, in both hands, sloping across chest. Two double steps and scissors stepping holding stick up, repeated.

2.

Complete Reel of Four. Start with 2&3 passing in centre and 1&4 joining in on the next passing.

3.

Complete Reel of Four as (2).

4.

Step on the spot. as (1), but without the stick.

CHORUSES

A. PUSH AWAY STICKS

 

The centres. 2&3, face and dance two double steps, do the scissors, and two' Lichfield capers, leading off of the right then the left foot. They then advance with sticks held high, cross them and push each other away, turning to dance back to the end places. The other two, 1&4, repeat, starting as the first pair advance to push away. As they push away they turn into the following figure and throw their stick to the side. The difficulty in performing the movement comes from the repetition of the Lichfield caper. I recommend that the second is missed and the push away done in its place.

B. PUSH AWAY HANDS

 

As A, but advance and fall onto each other's hands and push away.

C. PUSH AWAY FEET

 

As B, but advance and spring into a crouching position, putting the soles of right feet together and push away. Each is caught by the man behind.

© 1990 R L Dommett