London Polka Quadrille

Dance and music by Stephen Glover c.1846

Formation: Quadrille Set numbered 1,3,2,4 anticlockwise around set

Figure 1

Music: 2 x 32 bars Polka

8    Top couples advance and retire twice, inside hands joined, with polka steps
8    Top couples polka around inside set (ballroom hold)
2    Top couples Heel and Toe twice with inside foot, facing partner
2    Top couples Right hand turn half way
4    Top couples Heel and Toe (other foot) and left hand turn half way, finish in place.
8    Top couples join nearer hands with partner, promenade around inside set, finish in place.

32  Repeat with Side couples dancing

Figure 2

Music: 4 x 24 bars Polka

8    1st couple swing (ballroom hold) across set, finish facing 2nd couple.
4    Top couples, with opposite person, Heel and Toe twice, RH half turn
4    Top couples, with opposite person, Heel and Toe twice, LH half turn
8    1st couples polka (ballroom hold) inside set to return to place
24  Repeat with Couple 2 leading
24  Repeat with Couple 3 leading, Sides dancing Heel/Toe/Half Turns
24  Repeat with Couple 4 leading, Sides dancing Heel/Toe/Half Turns

Figure 5

Music: 4 x 32 + 16 bars Polka

8    All join hands, circle left and right using forward polka steps, finish in place
4    All couples with partner, Heel/Toe twice, Half Right hand Turn
4    All couples with partner, Heel/Toe twice, Half Left hand Turn
4    1st lady facing partner, arms akimbo**, dance backwards across set, followed by partner
4    1st man turn and dance out to place followed by partner.
8    1st couple polka inside the set, finish in place
32  Repeat with Couple 2 leading
32  Repeat with Couple 3 leading
32  Repeat with Couple 4 leading

CODA

8    All join hands, circle left and right using forward polka steps, finish in place
4    All couples with partner, Heel/Toe twice, Half Right hand Turn
4    All couples with partner, Heel/Toe twice, Half Left hand Turn
----

NOTES:

Original description for Figure 1 has:
Bars 1-8 advance, change hands and 4 bar dance back to place;
Bars 24-32 promenade forward, turn without quitting hands, promenade to place.

** arms akimbo: hands on the hips and elbows turned outwards
Figure 5 in original descriptions is described as the coquette (flirt).

Dance Description Copyright Don Richmond  2009
This may be reproduced for self-educational purposes.