Two for Three

A 64-bar strathspey/64-bar reel demonstration medley for one couple.

For Kirsten Lubach and Marco Schütz, on the occasion of their wedding in Vienna on 30 July 2005. This dance is a close relative of Triple Treat and was indeed devised in a hurry on the night before the wedding reception, because it turned out that the third dancer required for Triple Treat was unable to attend due to a family emergency.

The dance consists of a chorus and various figures. It begins with the woman (W) on the man’s (M’s) right, facing the audience.

Strathspey

Chorus

1–4

M, passing in front of W to begin, dances a loop round W.

5–8

Both set using Highland Schottische setting steps facing the audience.

9–12

W, passing in front of M to begin, dances a loop round M.

13–16

Both set as in bars 5–8.

Figure

17–20

M and W, giving left hands, turn once round.

21–24

M and W set and link to change places.

25–28

W and M, giving right hands, turn once round.

29–32

W and M set and link to change places.

Chorus

33–48

Repeat bars 1–16.

Figure

49–64

W dances a full Petronella figure (with setting) round M, starting by dancing to face M in front of M (i.e., W with her back to the audience). Meanwhile, M sets facing the audience using Rocking Step (8 steps).

Reel

Chorus

1–16

Repeat bars 1–16 of Strathspey, using coupé-pas-de-basque in place of Highland Schottische. Finish facing partner.

Figure

17–32

M and W dance a full Petronella figure, using spring points instead of pas de basque to set on bars 19–20, 23–24 etc. Finish facing the audience.

Chorus

33–48

Repeat bars 1–16 of Reel, finishing facing the audience.

Figure

49–52

Giving nearer hands, M and W advance towards the audience (2 skip-change-of-step) then retire again (2 skip-change-of-step).

53–56

Turning away from each other, M and W pivot individually about using 4 pas de basque.

57–60

M and W, giving both hands, turn once using 4 pas de basque.

61–64

M and W set facing the audience and dance 4 spring points.

Recommended Music: The Laird o’ Drumblair and Mackenzie Fraser (see “Demonstration Medley” (R64+S64) on “Kardinia Capers” by David South and his Scottish Dance Band).