|
|
East Saxon Sword
Performers of
|
The rapper dance evolved in the mining villages of the Northumberland and Durham. It is, primarily, a 5-man sword dance where the dancers form a circle, each man holding the "handle" his own rapper in his right hand and the "point" of his neighbour's rapper in his left (a 5 man hilt and point linked ring sword dance). Without breaking the circle the dancers weave around each other over and under the rappers sometimes somersaulting over the swords. The rappers may be tied into patterns which are displayed to the audience. The only time the circle is broken is when the "lock" or "star" of five interlocked swords is raised. When not moving the dancers do a tap step often called "jigging" in time to the music.
The 5 dancers are accompanied by two supporting characters called "Tommy" and "Betty"; Tommy introduces the dance (sometimes with a traditional "calling on" song) and often gives a commentary on the dance which sometimes bears some relationship to the truth; Betty is a man in a dress who interacts (comically!) with Tommy, the dancers and/or the audience. Towards the end of the dance Tommy and Betty may join in the dance do perform 6 and 7 man figures.
The rapper is a fast lively dance and is often best seen close up (in a pub
or bar) where the interaction of the characters with the audience and the
dancers adds to the excitement.
Return to ESS home page