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Performance Diary
Performance Diary
Comic Relief on Friday 16th March
Well done to the side for collecting £100 for with excellent dance-outs outside the Dolphin in St. Denys and inside the Usual Suspects in Bevois Valley.
Waterside House in Netley 15th March 2007
The first morris gig of the 2007 season, at the Waterside House in Netley, went well. There was a good turn-out of five musicians and nine dancers, two of whom had never performed with us before though they had been diligently practising all winter. Everyone looked good in their kit, though one member’s trousers were not really green!
We danced indoors on a splendid wooden floor, which had however two snags; we weren’t allowed to tap our sticks on it for percussive effects, and it was a trifle slippery, especially for Lads o’ Bunchum where there are very quick turns.
Our Squire was away, so proceedings were opened very ably by the Vice Person who introduced the side.
Unusually, we opened with a hanky dance, Rose Tree, which is lively. One member at least was so tired that she was very grateful to be able to dance this one with a full complement of six dancers, as it is very tiring with four. We then danced the very exciting Ducking and Diving with one new dancer, who sticked perfectly. Then the old favourite Nutting Girl, which had not been practised for a while, followed by Beaux of London City.
We then called for audience volunteers for Shepherds’ Hay, and got a few. The Dance Mistress explained the steps to them and called most of the dances, a very important role. Then there was a break to take advantage of the extremely cheap bar!
And so on alternating hanky and stick dances until the morris person’s farewell, Bonny Green Garters. The two novices acquitted themselves well and the more experienced performers were glad to be in front of an audience again.
The Bag Person
Feedback about Romsey Beggar's Fair 2006
Dear Samhain Morris,
What a spectacular show you put on at Romsey's Beggars Fair on 8th July!
Where do you get the energy from??! We especially enjoyed watching "the
caller" (is that Peter?). He obviously enjoys Morris dancing and this
feeling is immediately transmitted to the spectators. I was fortunate
enough to film you all and will be showing the film next Monday to students
at Bremen University.
Keep up the excellent work.
Hope to see you performing again some time.
Regards
MH
near Bremen in Germany.
21 Jul 2006
Lammas Camp 3rd August
Went drunkenly, it says. The first half of the set
was indeed a shambles because of incorrect calling, luckily the audience
were very understanding and the second half went better.
Rose Road 2002
Rose Road is an actual place. Not as I thought an euphemism for idyllic state of community. Yes, all the wonderful people live there, just like Camberwell Green. Hello Windy Miller, watch out for the windmill blades Windy, oops, now that’s gotta hurt.
There are no marionettes here though, real people lapped up the sunshine and esprit de corps vibe. Fifty years on the Rose Road Association celebrated their half century with the aplomb of a cricketer at Lords. The massing throng grew to three hundred or more as the Samhain Morris took to the street emblazoned with gold and green, with bells to match.
Sergeant Major Bob whipped the crowd, now encircling the nervous Samhain Morris comrades like the Apache at Custer’s last stand, into a feeding frenzy. Their mouths hung open in anticipation, but their faces shouted ‘Morris! Morris! Morris!’
Samhain duly supplied, whirling like a Dervish possessed with the demons of spin. Even New Labour can’t spin like this, I thought as the side held the crowd spellbound with their dazzling, audacious display of the Cotswold step. Dancing ceased on the final beat laving an eerie silence hanging, much as the morning dew holds for the rising sun. Then, after this instant of entranced hesitation, the rapturous applause.
Then, out came the sticks. Not quite sticks, sticks sounds too much like twigs. Samhain do not mess around with mere twigs or sticks! Bring on the pick axe handles, time for a good old fashioned stomping, Samhain stick dance style. As the beat kicked in the dancers faced each other, as the French faced the English at Agincourt. No, this was more akin to opera, with the squire the leading voice, the stick clashes the chorus.
Once the music had died and the side had capered off to the ricochet rapport of furious clapping and cries of ‘mopre! Bravo!’ and ‘can I have your autographs?’ the annals of history were sealed. In sweat and in guile. And a great day was had by all.
Rose Road Street Party 29th June 2002
Report of a French Evening which took place in the Stella Maris Centre,
St Michael’s Square, Southampton on Saturday 1st June 2002 in aid of St Edmund’s
Roman Catholic City Centre Parish Church Restoration Appeal.
On a glorious summer evening in June, guests at a French Evening in aid of
St Edmund’s Roman Catholic City Centre Parish Church Restoration were greeted
with a champagne cup in a flag-bedecked St Michael’s Square.
The entrée of radishes and baguettes had been served prior to the arrival of
Samhain Morris, a newly formed side. Diners good-naturedly left the table and
watched the performance of three traditional Cotswold and Border dances to
tumultuous applause - well, the audience clapped and there was a call of
“encore”!
The hall was gaily decorated with flags and bunting, a beret-clad ‘French
waiter’ served drinks and the dancers were happy to join the table where,
to songs by Piaf and Chevalier from La Vie Parisienne the meal resumed.
With a choice of delightful French wines, steak and salad followed, by buttered
new potatoes with fresh parsley, French cheeses and home made tartes aux fruits
with fresh cream and coffee, while a gifted 10 year old played classical piano.
Afterwards, winners joyously claimed their raffle prizes and, then, four duly
elected captains led teams who, in truly sportsmanlike manner, demonstrated
razor-sharp wit and intelligence in a hotly contested quiz. As a result, in a
close contest, the efforts of the winning teams were rewarded with chocolates,
the losers with the opportunity to lead a roundel of “Frère Jaques”!
Only missing was the man in the stripey T-shirt on a bike with onions.
As the country celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Coronation of Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II to the throne, we enjoyed ourselves, French-style and
contented guests left for their carriages at 11 o’clock to the strains of La
Marseillaise.
Sincere thanks for all generous contributions.
The following two reports are written by June (thanks June!):
May Day
4.30am Start.
I remember being in a total daze as I take a long time to wake up.
Very early start. I left at nearly 5am on my bike.
I thought I had lost my bells, as I only arrived with my hat. But because I was
so tired I had left them at home on a chair.
Good atmosphere. A bit wet and slippery.
We all danced well. Costumes looked good. I went back to Julia’s with a few of
the group.
Long day, as the evening was also going to be busy.
I enjoyed getting John ready and dressing up for the evening ahead.
‘Fun Day’ definitely well worth it.
Click on the link below to view photos.
Bevois Valley 1st May 2002
Wickham Square
7.30pm.
We arrived at Wickham eager to dance. Very important first call, the chip shop.
Martin led the way, I followed with John to shelter from the rain coming down
in buckets by now.
Pastie and chips went down quite well.
When we eventually danced, I definitely needed some of Pete’s cider as it was
quite nerve-racking. The best bit was the big dance at the end, also watching
what dances and costumes everyone was wearing and taking in how the costumes
were made.
The photos came out really well. Next place was a pub also joining in drinking
with Red Stags.
The start of our dancing out in public was an experience not to be forgotten.
Click on the link below to view photos.
Wickham 1st May 2002
Southampton Storytelling Festival 2002
by the Bag Person.
We had a brilliant dance out yesterday in St Michael's Square in front of the oldest building
in the city, one of the oldest (1017) churches in the country still with a roof on and in use;
the weather was kind and the music really echoed round the ancient square. The big drum boomed
and the sticks cracked, we filled the square with sound. This was the first time our
guitarist had been able to play all the tunes live for us and so we had live music for
every dance. Wonderful. We almost have a band, with guitars, bodhran, tambourines, and big
drum, plus the bells on dancers' legs.
The dancing was the best yet, full of vigour, life and joy. I felt really positive and
empowered as we danced forwards. The audience appreciated us. We danced two sets, passing
the time in between either in the Stella Maris where tea, coffee, soup and rolls were on
offer or in the Bosun's Locker pub nearby. VIP guests were two of the dancers' mums, who sat
in armchairs of honour borrowed from the Stella Maris to watch. Onlookers were invited to
join in one dance, as usual, and flocked to take part.
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