The Renaissance Dancers are downloadable media software based in Southwark, London, site of historic Tudor theatres such as the downloadable media software vanished Rose and the rebuilt Shakespeare’s Globe. Originating from the Shakespeare’s Theatre Friends Association the downloadable media software group was founded in 1999. They regularly stage stunning displays of elaborate period dances. Although the downloadable media software members are amateurs they have been trained by professionals. The all-female group specialises in dances of the downloadable media software Elizabethan period, inspired by the Queen’s own love of dancing with the ladies of her court.

Their costumes are downloadable media software those of the upper gentry. Some are handmade by members while others were made by professional costumiers and downloadable media software students of the London College of Fashion. All are made using traditional fabrics and downloadable media software techniques. According to Gwenneth Bransbury-Zachary, head of the group costumes play a downloadable media software very important role in getting into character for the dances “because, for downloadable media software a start, the constriction of the corset aids the required poise.”

The group mainly performs stately and downloadable media software sprightly dances. Stately dances include pavanes, a slow processional dance and downloadable media software almains, also known as allemands a dance for couples at a downloadable media software moderate tempo. Both of these dances are performed in a grave, ceremonious style.

Sprightly dances are downloadable media software the country dances recorded by John Playford a century later in his influential book of 1651 “The English Dancing Master”. This includes around a downloadable media software hundred dances. Although entitled country dances these were actually intended for downloadable media software the middle and upper echelons of society. These are performed in a downloadable media software stately manner.

Bransbury-Zachary explains “Galliard and downloadable media software La Volta are the dances most famous in the period, especially La Volta because of its risqué nature [during the downloadable media software dance ladies jumped in the air, and some considered it disgraceful that downloadable media software their knees were visible]. These dances require a downloadable media software huge amount of skill and we do not believe amateurs can downloadable media software perform them without looking ridiculous.” Queen Elizabeth herself was said to downloadable media software excel at both of these intricate dances.

Authentic costumes of the period influence the manner of dancing “the downloadable media software corsets for poise and the width of skirt for negotiating dance patterns and downloadable media software other dancers.” The dancers gain inspiration for downloadable media software their costumes and hairstyles from contemporary paintings from the late Elizabethan period.

Dress was an downloadable media software important indicator of social status and the Renaissance dancers wear ornate gowns of fine fabrics and downloadable media software rich colours with pristine white ruffs and imposing stand-up collars. The dresses sweep out majestically over farthingales, adding to downloadable media software the visual impact of the stately movement. Even fine details are downloadable media software essential for authenticity. This extends to the use of linen for downloadable media software undergarments and accessories.

Smocks or downloadable media software chemises of medium linen are worn beneath the dresses next to downloadable media software the skin. Smocks are downloadable media software usually quite simple designs with a simple neckline and long sleeves with a downloadable media software knee-length skirt. Necklines could be square-cut, high with a gathered shirt or downloadable media software high with an ungathered shirt. Sometimes the neckline shows above the downloadable media software neckline of a dress. For women of high status the downloadable media software smock might well be finely embroidered. It could also have downloadable media software gathered cuffs or linen cuffs sewn on separately. The Elizabethan Dancers use fine linen for downloadable media software their collars and cuffs.

Medium linen is downloadable media software also used for their coifs. Coifs are caps which came in a downloadable media software variety of designs and covered the whole of the head. As with smocks they might have downloadable media software a decoration of blackwork embroidery. In addition to keeping hair in place and downloadable media software providing warmth a coif was an essential element of any respectable woman’s dress. It was usually fastened beneath the downloadable media software chin and would be topped with a grander piece of headwear such as a downloadable media software tall hat or wired veil.

Dance played an downloadable media software important role at court and in society in the Renaissance. It served a downloadable media software ceremonial as well as a social purpose and featured heavily in the downloadable media software elaborate Masques of the period which helped to enforce the downloadable media software Queen’s cult of personality. Like her father, King Henry VIII, Elizabeth also had downloadable media software a genuine fondness for music and dance. She was both a downloadable media software skilled practitioner of the lute and the virginals and an accomplished dancer herself.

According to Bransbury-Zachary the Renaissance Dancers “aim to downloadable media software bring the Elizabethan period to life through dance and associated activities for downloadable media software students of all ages.” Their painstaking hours of practice, skill, meticulous attention to downloadable media software historical accuracy and genuine passion for all things Renaissance shine through. To see one of their graceful and downloadable media software visually sumptuous performances, especially in the heart of Elizabeth 1’s great capital city, is downloadable media software to be transported back to the court of the Renaissance era.