Do you ever wonder what it is like being part of (probably) the best Morris Side in Perth? One of our dancers Dave Kent wrote this lovely report of a recent Sunday morning dancing out in front of a crowd of thousands as part of the Goverment House Open day. We hope to make this an ongoing series…
Musos: Robert & Di
Dancers: Alison (Squire), Dave S (Foreman), Tom, Dave K, Rosie, Sarah, Sophie, Ronnie
Weather: Sunny (about 27 degrees) with some clouds & humidity
Dances: Stop Me & Buy One; Goldfish; Catalpa; The Bell; Upton On Severn; Moonrise; Dilwyn; Rose Tree; Getting Upstairs; Poached Breakfast; Prescott Clock.
Marlee Morris performed two sets at the Government House Open Day, it was fun and a bit sweaty, and wonderful to have appreciative audiences that applauded loudly after each dance.
On arrival we met in the Supper Room, below the ballroom, in a large air-conditioned room, where we were “inducted” into what would happen on the day. It was lovely and cool in this huge room, other performers were also in this room, including ballroom dancers, brass bands, and bagpipe bands, and later on, a marvelous violinist. It was here that we readied ourselves for our dance sets. It was novel walking through the side of the ballroom on the way to our first set, with everyone near us in the ballroom, hearing our bells, seeing our dance clobber, with many saying a friendly “hello”.
Our first set, at 10.15am. was under a large shady tree, close to the entrance of the of the Government House Ballroom. A nice area, flat and gravelly, with adequate space allowing us to stretch out the dances. Our audience was both curious and mesmerized as we dazzled our way through the first set of five dances. We presented well, and enjoyed making a noise or three, whooping and shouting, as our bells rang out loud. Passers-by stopped on their way to the main area to watch us, with Dave S and Alison doing a great work in encouraging interest. Dave S also did a fine job as our shouter for the set.
At 11am, we stared our long second set, deeper within the grounds of Government House. Described as the “lower grass area”, and beautiful flat grass it was, surrounded by an all age, appreciative audience, who applauded after each dance, and whose curiosity was rewarded by Dave S & Alison who answered their questions, we also had the added bonus of dancing in front of a 1953 Morris Minor, a favoured Morris tradition. We also chatted with a man who said he saw our dance moves with our sticks, as a kind of martial art, and that our stick movements were reticent of upper body thrust and defend actions. Dave S, again did a great job is shouting out what our dances were about, and Alison, gave out stickers to interested lookers on. We danced courageously and with great vigor in the morning sun, and had good fun in the process.
Thanks to our musos, Robert & Di, who did a fine job in keeping us dancing in time and together, and hoorah, to Alison, our squire, who got us the gig, and to Dave S, who practiced us so well. Thanks to the staff at Government House Ballroom, for providing us with ice cold water, fruit and snacks. In summary, a joyous, if tiring morning, that was splendid to watch, and enjoyable to be a part of. A fabulous time was had by all.
