News 26. 1. 2009

About keeping the arms while dancing

Another explanation relates to the stage. In order to get a hard surface to dance on, people would often unhinge doors and lay them on the ground. Since this was clearly a very small stage, there was no room for movement of the arms.

Yet another explanation has to do with venue. Irish dance was usually performed in pubs or in small barns where, because of the restricted space, moving the arms could be hazardous to both the dancer and the audience.

But perhaps the most likely explanation is a practical one. The solo dancers are characterised by quick, intricate movements of the feet. Movement of the upper body would only distract from the precise movements, and hence is kept to a minimum.

Václav Bernard