Syon Park: A Country Dance for two couples

[ This article appeared in volume 2 of the Letter of Dance. ]

by M. Sion Andreas o Wynedd

This dance was improvised in the event of our once having a set and a half for Hyde Park, and having that half set too ornery to sit down. It is for Rose, Shannon, and Eleanora, who were stuck trying to follow me through this as I made it up. The two-couple figure is common in 1650 Playford, and several of the figures, as well as the progression of the dance, are either modifications from Hyde Park, or borrowed from other contemporary dances.

The dance is named for Syon Park, a small park near the Kew Botanical Gardens. It is also a cute play on my name. Modesty should never deter one in naming a dance, I always say.

Use the music for Hyde Park, played through three times as is usual.

I	A1	Couples holding usual hands go forward a double to honour; fall back the same.
	A2	That again.
	B1	Partners take both hands and take two sideways steps in to the middle; then take both
		hands with corners and take two sideways steps out; turn away from your corner and honour.
	B2	Corners take both hands and take two sideways steps in to the middle; then take both
		hands with partners and take two sideways steps out; turn away from your partner and honour.
II	A1	Side with your partner.
	A2	That again.
	B1	Pull past your partner by the right hand, then meet your corner and honour; lead your corner
		back in where you take your own by the right hand and fall back a double.
	B2	That much again.
III	A1	Arm right with your partner.
	A2	Arm left with your partner.
	B1	Men do a "Mutt and Geoff haye", passing in front of their own, behind the next, between their
		own and the other lord, and behind her to place.
	B2	Ladies do as much.

End the dance by honouring your partner.