On arrival at Hengrave
on Friday afternoon, we were met by ever-welcoming
members of the Hengrave Community and by a small crowd of earlier
arrivals clustered around the door
.
After dinner, there was a short introduction to Hengrave Hall, the teachers and the subjects of the week, followed by some simple dances to get us in the mood.
Serious work began immediately after breakfast on Saturday morning, when we divided into 3 classes: Beginners (Frances Campbell), Intermediate (Hazel Dennison) and Advanced (Anne Daye). In the afternoon there was a choice of activities, including more dancing and the first session of preparation for the Balet Comique.
Le Balet Comique de la Royne was commissioned by Henri III of France in 1581 to celebrate the wedding of one of his favourites, M. d'Argues, to his sister-in-law, Margaret of Lorraine. One aim of the week was to recreate the event as far as possible within our resources.
In the evening, to relax, we naturally did more dancing - in this case a session of country dancing called by members of the course.
This set the pattern for the week: classes in the morning, a mixture of activities in the afternoon (sometimes returning to classes for part of the time) and sociable events in the evenings.
The evening activities included international
dancing
and the popular do-it-yourself concert, when students and teachers
presented (occasionally serious but mostly comic) songs, poems,
monologues and sketches.
Mental stimulation was provided by 3 lectures: Jeremy Barlow on renaissance musicians, Ann Kent on the development of the Coranto/Courante over two centuries, and Professor Margaret McGowan on the Balet Comique.
On the final evening, the Balet Comique was presented to an audience of the few course members who were not taking part, friends who came for the evening, and members of the Community. The resulting spectacle was remarkable, especially considering the pressure of producing it within such a short time with a shoestring budget. It was followed by the Grand Bal, when classes performed the dances they had learnt during the week, and joined in dances for the whole company. It was rounded off by a light banquet, and votes of thanks to all involved.
Special mention must be made of Jeremy
Barlow
(the leader of
the Broadside Band), who prepared the practice tape, accompanied
classes, rehearsed course members
in pieces for
the Balet Comique, played for the ball, and probably made
history with the first (and last!) performance on the virginals
of the Balet Comique Blues, written and sung by Terry
Gandy, at the DIY concert.