Allemande for 2 Couples
In Scottish Country Dancing, Allemande for 2 couples requires a Travelling step to be used throughout the 8-bar Figure. It was originally intended as an elegant means of Progression and, as such, works well, especially in a Strathspey, provided the Timing is followed scrupulously. When danced by the 1st and 2nd Couples from their Original Places, the movements for bar 1 are shown in Diagram 80, for bar 2 in Diagram 81 and so on, with bars 7-8 shown in Diagram 86 and the Finishing Places at the end of bar 8 in Diagram 87.
To avoid a sloppy start, it is especially important that both Couples move in unison on bar 1; to avoid a sloppy Finish, they must move in unison on bars 5-8.
The Couples must start Facing Up on the Centre line and either Take hands in Allemande hold or convert an existing Hold, such as Promenade, into Allemande hold, exactly at the beginning of the 8-bar phrase.
For the Top couple in this 2-Couple Figure:
Bar 1
with Allemande hold, Dance diagonally forwards and to the right so that the Lady reaches a point half a Place Above her Original Place in the Ladies' Side line;
Bar 2
retaining Allemande hold, rotate anticlockwise (the Man Turning On the spot) to Face Across The set towards the Men's Side;
Bar 3
retaining Allemande hold, Dance Across The set so that they reach the Men's Side line and rotate anticlockwise (the Man Turning On the spot) to Finish with the Man half a Place Above his Original Place Facing Down;
Bar 4
retaining Allemande hold, Dance a long step Down to 2nd Place with the Man Travelling on the Men's Side line;
Bar 5
retaining Allemande hold, rotate anticlockwise (the Man Turning On the spot) to Face Across The set towards the Ladies' Side;
Bar 6
retaining Allemande hold, Dance part of the way Across The set and unwind the Hold by passing the right hands over the Lady's head so as to Face each other with arms crossed, right over left, either side of the Centre line;
Bar 7
release Hold and individually Dance a small step backwards away from each other;
Bar 8
continue to Dance backwards away from each other, Finishing Facing each other in the Side lines, in 2nd Place.
The 2nd Couple in this 2-Couple Figure follow the Top couple, as closely as is practicable, as follows:
Bar 1
as bar 1 for the Top couple;
Bar 2
retaining Allemande hold, Dance Up The set to Finish with 2nd Lady in 1st Lady's Place;
Bar 3
retaining Allemande hold, Dance Up The set half a Place (2nd Man to the Up and down Position just vacated by 1st Man) and rotate anticlockwise (the Man Turning On the spot) to Face Across The set towards the Men's Side;
Bar 4
retaining Allemande hold, Dance Across The set to the Men's Side line, rotate anticlockwise (the Man almost Turning On the spot) to Face Down and Dance Down to 1st Place, with the Man Travelling on the Men's Side line;
Bar 5
as bar 5 for the Top couple;
Bar 6
as bar 6 for the Top couple;
Bar 7
as bar 7 for the Top couple;
Bar 8
continue to Dance away from each other, Finishing Facing each other in the Side lines, in 1st Place.
It is especially important that, at the end of bar 5, both Couples are in the Men's Side line, 2nd Man in 1st Man's Place, 1st Man in 2nd Man's Place. Note that in all the rotations and the unwinding, the Men Dance On the spot, or almost so, While the Ladies rotate. Note also that Timing is critical at the end of bar 2; 1st Lady is still only just Above 1st Lady's Place when 2nd Lady is arriving in 1st Lady's Place.
In some dances, bars 7-8 for one or both Couples may have to be modified to suit the subsequent Figure.
In a few dances, this Figure appears in an inverted form, starting with both Couples on Opposite sides of the Centre line, Facing Down, the lower Couple leading; this is superficially similar to The Knot but quite different in detail.
For example, here are some Scottish Country Dances in which the term, Allemande For 2 Couples, is used in either the Minicrib or the Maxicrib Dance instructions or both -
Admiral Nelson
Balmaha
Ca' The Ewes Tae The Knowes
Come Up To The Top
Crown Court
De'il Amang The Tailors
Ettrick Water
The following examples show forms with a modified ending or inverted:
Prince Of Wales
This Way Up
Craigievar
Border Barque
Additional search terms; 1s+2s dance Allemande (In Minicrib).
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