If left to their own devices, the members of the group of four will
have to agree whether they will demonstrate the version of Petronella
in which only the active couple twirls and balances, or the version in
which all dancers twirl and balance, or the updated version in which
the dancers balance first and then twirl, or the simplified version in
which the dancing begins in a ring rather than the "diamond" formation.
But as Cynthia says, she can arrange in advance for a demonstration
group, and this might be helpful.
To me it sounds like Cynthia wants to know about the second of the four
Petronella options outlined above. I'd make sure that the dancers
remained proper and that they understood who the active (ones) and
inactive (twos) couples were. The active dancers begin by turning, as
individuals, clockwise to their right (the gent traveling a somewhat
further distance than the lady) to positions facing each other in the
center of the set, the gent facing up the hall and the lady facing
down. As the active dancers move, the inactives or twos adjust their
positions slightly, as individuals, so that all four dancers may take
hands in a "diamond." All four dancers balance the diamond with hands
joined. This is the first half of the A1.
The dancers drop hands and now all four dancers turn clockwise, as
individuals, into the place of the dancer on the right (the twos are
now in the center of the set, gent facing up, lady down). All take
hands and balance. This is the second half of the A1.
A2) All four twirl and balance. / All four twirl and balance (ones
arrive at their original positions. Twos are in the middle of the set
and must twirl out to the sides at the start of the B1).
B1) Actives down center as couples, turn alone / Return, cast off to
proper, progressed places.
B2) Right and left through, over / Right and left through, back.
Robert Jon Golder
164 Maxfield St
New Bedford, MA 02740 USA
508-999-2486
