MALCOLM MAJOR is on the lookout for a dance partner.
In fact, Malcolm has his sights set on finding eight or nine people who are light on their feet.
The main criteria is they must be reasonably fit, have plenty of enthusiasm and know how to wave a (clean) handkerchief.
Malcolm is the secretary of the Wokingham-based Morris dance team, the Berkshire Bedlam, regarded as one of the top in the country.
Founded in 1977, the dancers have won numerous awards and appeared on a number of TV programmes from the BBC’s Chucklevision to a Christmas episode of Downton Abbey.
There is even a portrait of members performing a dance which hangs in London’s Royal Academy.
Now the Berkshire Bedlam are on the lookout for new members and are holding a series of taster sessions where people can learn all they want to know about Morris dancing but were too afraid to ask.
“Most people don’t realise how popular Morris dancing and folk music is,” said Malcolm who joined Bedlam in 1994.
“There are around 800 teams in the UK with 10,000 dancers. Our youngest member is just 16 and we have a large number in their 20s and 30s and many, like me, a bit older.
“We come from all walks of life but the one thing we have in common is our love of Morris dancing.
“Our name was inspired by Edwin Christopher Cawte who researched border Morris traditions where reference is made to ‘ye bedlam Morris’. This name seemed to perfectly express our approach to Morris dancing.”
Last month, the team was invited to return to the prestigious Sidmouth Folk Festival in Devon where they have performed a number of times. The Berkshire Bedlam have also danced across Europe and in America, delighting audiences wherever they go.
“While some of our dances are based on the legendary Leafield dances of Oxfordshire, the majority of today’s repertoire is original compositions put together in recent years,” added Malcolm.
“Since it began the Berkshire Bedlam have adhered to the early objectives of the team which were providing original and true spirited Morris style, precise and energetic dancing and spectacular and original performance.”
The team has a list of 40 different dances with names such as Winnersh Triangle, None So Pretty and Arse About Face.
“One of the most surreal events we have performed at was a private birthday party for Sting at his Georgian mansion in Wiltshire, with guests including David Walliams and Robert Downey Junior,” added Malcolm.
“At the end, our members were more than happy to sign autographs for them. It was quite a night.”
Malcolm hopes anyone with an interest in dancing or who may be just curious about Morris dancing will go along to the taster sessions and perhaps join the four week course for beginners.
These take place on Thursday, September 14th at the Bedlam’s normal practice venue, the Evendons Lane Scout Hut in Evendons Lane, Wokingham, from 8.15 to 10pm.
“Everyone is welcome. All we ask is that you are reasonably fit, have enthusiasm and a sense of fun.”
For full details, go to: www.berkshirebedlam.org
