Normally the dance' was done in a processional form. The dancers started in an alley or side street with the swivel handles of their rappers in their right hands. They each took the wrapped handle of their neighbour's rapper in their left hand and formed up into the "Front Position". The musician started playing and after one or two phrases of jig music they ran out into the main street and down to the first "stop". There they performed 3 or 4 figures of the dance; then formed up into the Front Position" again and ran on to the second "stop" to dance a few more figures. Then to the next "stop" and so on round the village, or town. There is no particular order to the figures but usually "No. 1 Nut" was performed first at each stop. If the dancers wanted to create a special impression at a specific location where a large crowd or an important person was expected; they did not run on in the "front position" as usual; but finished the dance at the previous "stop" with the first half of "The Somersault", to the part where No.3 has just jumped over No.5's rapper and the dancers have all formed a line facing forward. They then ran on to the special location in this position. On arrival No.3 performed the somersault and the figure continued. After they had completed the performance at the final stop the dancers either formed up into the "Front Position and ran off down a side street or alley and finished dancing or they finished the dance in the same way as they ended the set performance.
When they danced a set performance (this was usually inside a pub
or a workingmen's club); the dancers started in a small circle facing
clockwise with No. 2 behind No. 1 etc. The dancers held only the swivel
handle of their own rapper in their right hand. They put all their
right hands close together in the centre of the circle, and held the
rappers vertically in a small bundle (the wrapped ends uppermost).
with their right hands face level. They each placed their left hand
on the left shoulder of the, person in front of them. One of the
Bettys then sang the 'Sword Dancers Song' at the end of which the
musician started playing and the dancers "Stepped" for a phrase.
They then walked round clockwise for one circuit, lowered the
rappers and each grabbed the wrapped end of the rapper of the
'person in front of them with their left hand. After completing
another circuit the dancers came into the 'circle position' then
all tuned one complete circle on the spot and performed "The Nut".
Usually a dozen or so figures were performed, never all 23 at once!
At the last figure when the Nut was held up for the last time they
stepped for two phrases; the second more vigorously than the first;
then threw the nut down on to the ground in the centre of the circle
and the music stopped. This completed the performance.
Bedlington Index