george herquet, can you point me towards any evidence for this interesting comment? The dance was published by Playford in 1698 (3 years after Purcell's music was first performed, so probably Purcell's original composition which Playford borrowed). It could still have been danced when Washington was a young man in the 1750s and 1760s -- he was known for his elegant and lively dancing -- and I'd love to know of any specific reference to this dance. With ref to the 'leaning' segment you mention: that's not in the original Playford instructions (see on-line facsimiles) but again you may have evidence of a different version. If it's a version seen on TV or film, then it won't be a surprise that the choreographer, as frequently happens, invented this move!

Delighted you like it :-)

If that is Jeremy Barlow who published the complete Playford, then this is a splendid compliment. If not the same J Barlow: thank you anyway!

Sorry to only notice these comments so long after they were made! - don't seem to get notifications of them. Stephen the guitarist here; I made the arrangement so am very happy its appreciated :-)

+1alvar Purcell arranged it, the tune was originally published by Playford.

There'll forever be arguments. Remember that Playford was Purcell's publisher. There's a very grey area as to whose was whose...

My money is on Purcell as composer; his version (stage music for Aphra Behn's play Abdelazar) was performed in 1695, published in Playford's "Dancing Master" 1698. Playford wasn't really a composer and got most of the Dancing Master tunes from ballads and stage plays. That was quite acceptable in those days. Playford was good friends with lots of famous composers (plus Sam Pepys), and Purcell wrote an elegy to John P after JP died -- so Purcell evidently wasn't offended.

+morevaseret What is it about Early Dance that you have such contempt for each other? Very few people care a damn about Early Dance, but when you find one of the tiny few who share your enthusiasm, you castigate them for their incompetence, lack of ability, lack of knowledge, lack of effort, lack of style, incorrect costume, etc. I'm perfectly sure that plenty of Early Dance enthusiasts laugh about your performances too. Why can't you just like each other a bit more? Very likely your criticisms are correct, but if you feel a need to voice them, why not be a bit diplomatic and friendly about it? I don't think this is a great performance, but I like the music and the fact that people are enjoying themselves. I like the people. I'd join in if I could.

137Newton It hurts me to see enthusiastic people being taught wrongly. They will never be able to perform the dances properly when so much is wrong. I am not complaining about costumes etc. only the fact that the teaching was all wrong. It is like teaching someone the waltz starting on the wrong foot, with three people instead of a couple, and out of time with the music. It will never work and just looks a mess.

No, the other way round. Playford died in 1686 and Gay was born in 1685

Valerie, it was a delight to welcome the dancers who turned up the day we recorded the music: people from varied backgrounds, Irish dance, ballet, folk dance etc, all keen to take part and enjoy the music. Did you think we were a display team? As Johanna Bolton observes, we're still learning. Teams like Michel Landry's -- via the link from your Nottingham fdc website -- who do 17th-century Nonesuch in 18th-century dress (your own specialism is costume, isn't it?) are pretty to watch. I run sessions for pleasure not performance. And as your website says, there's room for all sorts of interpretations. This could include C Sharp's adaptations e.g. the siding and positioning in Nonesuch, modern inventions such as the duple minor set and the "Hole in the Wall cross" shown in your video, and the use of what historical dance teachers would call "proper" steps rather than the Playford Plod. I adapted Nonesuch / A la Mode de France to include as many people as possible, just as I have been warmly included in over 50 years of dancing and teaching with EFDSS and DHDS. Feel free to contact me privately if you really are interested in discussing my use of primary sources. Or come to one of the thriving folk dance clubs I'm proud to be part of. Ann Hinchliffe.

Don't be so harsh a critic Valerie, they are having a go, and enjoying their dancing... There's nothing stopping you putting your own video online Valerie.

Vero very good