Join Darren Royston, celebrated choreographer and teacher, for the online sessions exploring dances from court and country from medieval periods to the nineteenth century. Darren together with guest teachers, artists, specialists, and friends will recreate historical dance using music, paintings, costumes, history, and drama from different periods. From Fall to Spring we will follow through historical periods and learn the early dance essentials based on the latest research and the Nonsuch repertoire, as published in Peggy Dixon’s “Dances from the Courts of Europe” and Darren Royston’s “Dramatic Dance.”

How the online sessions work:

Two-hour dance classes including physical warm-ups, Laban-based movement training exercises, a historical dance technique class with a demonstration of original choreographies, and finishing with a discussion as a chance to chat and socialise. Intense dance instruction will take one hour of the two-hour session with the option to get feedback from the instructor. Sessions are open to beginners – as each class explores the basics of a historical style, with examples of the period, discussion of the art, and people of the time. More advanced participants may take a more active role – reading, acting, and demonstrating as part of the “masterclass moment” where the dancing master instructs members of his virtual class! Notes will be provided one week in advance before the class, and some preparation by reading, online surfing, listening to music, and studying dance and art samples is recommended between the classes.

2020 Series One (5 classes over 3 months)

• SESSION 1: Sunday 25th October

Medieval Realms: Estampie & Basse Danse.

• SESSION 2: Sunday 15th November

The Italian 15th century Renaissance: the dancing world of Leonardo da Vinci.

• SESSION 3: Sunday 29th November

Elizabethan England and the art of Orchesography: Lascivious La Voltas.

• SESSION 4: Sunday 13th December

Renaissance Revels: 16th & 17th centuries Italian dances and the Jacobean Court.

• SESSION 5: Sunday 27th December

Christmas is Restored: Revels for All

2021 Series Two (5 sessions over 3 months)

BOOKING IS NOW OPEN!

• SESSION 6: Sunday 10th January

The King is Dancing: Dances from 1660 – 1715.

• SESSION 7: Sunday 24th January

Enlightened Dance: Dances from 1715 – 1790, including Scottish Golden Age.

• SESSION 8: Sunday 7th February

Jane Austen Dancing: bouncing cotillions!

• SESSION 9: Sunday 21st February

Regency Ballroom: or the art of being improper.

• SESSION 10: Sunday 7th March

Dancing with Queen Victoria: the close embrace.

• SESSION 11: Sunday 21st March

THE FINAL “ONLINE” Spring Equinox BALL

Further information