Regency Dance Hints & Tip

We often hear that the ballroom can be more perplexing than deciphering Mr Darcy’s intentions at a country dance. So, whether you're mastering your first allemand or aiming to make a graceful impression worthy of Emma Woodhouse, we've assembled a collection of handy hints and tips to help you glide (not stumble) your way through any Regency soirée.

Who's Who?

The ballroom can be a busy place, so here are some of the important people you sould look out for.

Caller

The person up on the stage teaching the dance moves.

Partner

The person stood opposite you. If all else fails, end each round of the dance facing them.

Neighbour

The people stood on either side of you.

Corners

The people stood on either side of your partner. You sometimes interact with these people more than your actual partner! If you’re at the end of a set, you’ll only have one corner person.

Layout of the Room

With so many couples on the dance floor its good to know where you are - or where you're meant to be!

Longways

A long line of couples facing each other. Your partner stands opposite you. You dance in groups of four people and after each round of the dance, you’re with a new group. This is the most common set up in Regency dancing.

Three Couple Set

Similar to a longways set, but you dance exclusively in groups of six people (three couples) and don’t mix with any other groups. Each couple in this set dance once through as their starting number, then everyone renumbers for the 2nd time through the dance, and again for the third time through.

Top

The end of the set that is usually closest to the band (they can sometimes be elsewhere, but your caller will always clarify). If the caller says “top” or “up” this is the direction you need to travel or look towards.

Bottom

The end of the set that is usually furthest away from the band. If the caller says “bottom” or “down”, travel or look away from the band.

Men's Side

This is the line of people with the top of the set on their left. Historically, this would have been all gentlemen, but nowadays anyone can dance as a “man”.

Ladies' Side

This is the line of people with the top of the set on their right. As with the “mens” side, anyone can dance as a “lady”.

It hardly makes any difference if you're dancing in the position of a “man” or a “lady”, the important thing is to remember whether you are a Man or a Lady and stay as them for the whole of that particular dance!

First Couple (or 1s)

The couple in your group of four or six that is closest to the top.

Longways 1s: They work their way down the set staying as a 1 for each time through the dance. When the 1s reach the bottom, they wait one round of the dance and come back in a second couple.

Three couple 1s: They dance the dance through as 1s until they end up as the bottom couple of their group of 6 dancers, then those 1s become 3s for the next time through the dance.

Second Couple (or 2s)

Longways 2s: The couple in your group of four that is furthest from the band. They work their way up the set. When they reach the top, they wait one round of the dance and come back in as a first couple.

Three couple 2s: They are the middle couple in the group of 6 dancers, they dance the whole dance through once as 2s, until they end up in the first couple position, then the 2s become 1s for the next time through the dance.

Third Couple (or 3s)

In a three couple set only. They are the couple furthest from the band in a group of 6 dancers. This couple dance the dance through once as 3s, ending in middle couple position, then they dance as 2s for one time through the dance to end in first couple position, then finally they get to dance as the first couple.

The Dance Moves

All Regency dances are made up of varying combinations of repeating patterns. There too many individual patterns to list them all, so here are a few of the most common ones to get you started:

Honours

A small curtsey or bow to you partner at the beginning and end of a dance.

Setting

A little bouncing step to your right and left. If you’re facing someone, you’ll end up moving in different directions to them – this is OK!

Circle

In your groups of four (or six!), take hands and all skip round to your left and back to your right.

Star

Put your right hand into the middle of your group of four and take the hand of the person diagonally opposite you. All skip around clockwise. Turns around and put your left hand into the middle. All skip around anticlockwise.

Back-to-Back

Facing your partner, walk past them, crossing right shoulder. Shuffle across to you right (stay facing in the same direction!), then reverse back past your partner (again, staying facing in the same direction!) and back to your place.

There are many many more moves than this, but don’t worry, the caller will walk you through them all before you start dancing!

Our friends at the Jane Austen Dancers of Bath have created some handy videos showing some of the most commonly used dance moves.

Click here for videos

Top Tips for attending a Jane Austen Festival Regency Costumed Event.

Please listen to the caller for dance instructions.
Heeled shoes will not be permitted inside Ball events for safety reasons. Please arrive in flat shoes.
Long trains must be pinned up when dancing to avoid tripping anyone up. Our stewards will be on hand to assist with this.
Gentlemen please wear soft soled dance shoes where possible, please leave your boots at the door.
Our ballrooms can get a little warm, so bring a traditional folding fan to avoid overheating.
No spurs or weapons are permitted inside Festival venues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I avoid when selecting my Regency Costume for a Ball?

Dresses that are too long. Try the dress on in advance with the shoes you plan to wear - if you need to hold it up to walk around, it will make dancing very difficult. If you or a friend are handy with a needle and thread, take up the hem enough so that it’s not touching the floor (~ankle length is good). You could also take it to a clothing alteration shop. If you’re hiring a costume, some costume hire places will be able to make this alteration for you.
Trained dresses. They do look very elegant, but unless they are carefully pinned up, they are a major trip hazard to you and people around you. If you are attending a Soiree followed by a ball, either make sure you can remove your train, or bring a pin or broach to pin up your train ready for the dancing element of the evening.
Avoid high heels. Nobody wants a twisted ankle! They are also liable to get caught in the hems of dresses. Low block dance heeled shoes are fine, as long as they are soft soled.
Boots. These are very dashing, but they don’t mix well with people wearing soft dancing shoes (ouch!). Boots should in the spirit of Wellington, be left at the door of the ballroom please.

Do I need to bring a partner?

No. Many of our guests come to our balls on their own and are never in want of someone to dance with.
Here are a few tips on finding a partner during the ball:
· Anyone can ask anyone to dance.
· Historically, it’s considered polite to accept if someone asks you unless you already have a partner lined up or you need a rest and wish to sit the dance out.
· Guests are encouraged to change partners after 2 dances in true Regency fashion, but it’s not a strict rule.
· If you’re shy about asking someone to dance, our friendly stewarding team are always on hand to find you a partner.

Do I need to learn the dances in advance?

No. We have an excellent caller who will walk you through each dance during the evening. They will also call out the instructions during the dances. Listen well as they will give you the exact instructions as the dances progress. In fact, it’s preferable not to learn the dances in advance, as different callers often have different interpretations of the same dance. Our caller may also alter some of the moves on the night to fit the ability of the room. Hopefully if this is your first ball, you are planning on attending the afternoon workshop, as this will familiarise you with the terminology. In a future newsletter, we will be going through some of these terms as well.

Do I need to learn steps?

No. It’s perfectly acceptable to walk all the dances. You can skip along to the faster ones, if you have the energy. You may also need to jog if you find you’re running late for some of the moves! You may come across people doing fancy steps, they’ve likely been dancing for years so admire and imitate as you wish, but sticking to what the dance caller is saying is always the best approach!