Cuckolds all a row

Cuckolds all a row is a dance from Playford's Dancing Master.

Steps and Movements Used

• Doubles left and right (DL and DR) and back (DLb and DRb)
• Turning half way (Th)
• Sides (SdR and SdL)
• Arms (AR and AL)
• Cast off

Choreography

This dance starts with two couples facing each other.

First Verse

Holding customary hands with partners, do a double towards the contrary, then a double back again. Repeat.

DL, DRb DL, DRb

First Chorus

Contraries turn back to back, then women turn to face their contraries. Women move about their contrary with out turning their body (like a do-si-do). Couples turn back to back, then men turn to face their partners. Men move about their partner with out turning their body.

Second Verse

Couples side by the right with partners, then contraries side left with each other.

SdR SdL

Second Chorus

Men do a double to change places. Women do a double to change places. Everybody takes hands and goes half way around. Women do a double to change places. Men do a double to change places. Everybody takes hands and goes half way around.

Third Verse

Couples arm by the right with each other, the contraries arm left with each other.

AR AL

Third Chorus

Taking contraries by both hands, men push the women back, move to their partner's side, and everyone falls into their partner's place. Men cast off to the right hand side, with their partners following, then continue to where the casting off was begun.

Taking contraries by both hands, men push the women back, move to their original side, and everyone falls back into their original place. Men cast off to the left hand side, with their contraries following, then continue to where the casting off was begun.

External Links

• Instructions from 1651 edition
• Reconstruction from Del's Dance Book