Leeds historical dance group calls for new young male members

A Leeds historical dance group is calling for new young members to join the troupe.

They’re particularly looking for male dancers, because the excess female dancers are having to fill the male roles.

The troupe began in 1974, and perform dances in historically accurate attire from the 15th to the 19th century.

Their name originates from the French cleric and author, Thoinot Arbeau, who wrote a book about ballroom music and dance.

The troupe perform dances included from his book Orchesographie, which was published in 1589.

Source: Toby Almond | All Rights Reserved

Sirje, from Estonia, often dances in the male role: “What we find most difficult is getting young people to join us, particularly men, we only have two.

I’m hoping that if we publicise ourselves more, we can get some more younger members to continue our tradition,” she added.

The group say that the dance styles and sewing of the clothes are important and should be remembered.

Sirje said “I can’t find anywhere to make my dresses so all my costumes are made by Louise which is another skill being kept alive.”

Louise Nicoll, the Director, has been part of the group for seven years: “I’ve always loved history and I saw an advert for a taster session here, so I went along by myself and I loved it.

“We cover about 700 years of dance, from 1250 to 1900, but we’d like to branch out further to Edwardian and possibly do some Charleston.”

Louise noted how the rise of media from the regency period from TV shows like Bridgerton could be beneficial to the group.

“There’s been a huge rise in the country in regency balls, but the dancing in Bridgerton isn’t historically accurate, but if it makes more people interested than it’s definitely welcome,” she said.

Robert Lee, a Visitor Assistant at Temple Newsam said: “The Arbeau Dancers are a very important group and they are keeping alive a lot of dances and music that would probably die out without them.

“It’s also nice for our visitors to come and see people in the house behaving as people would have done in the past.”

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