Graham being Interviewed by Gaby
Dancing the Rose Tree with Gina
West Hill appeared LIVE on
Channel 5's Terry and Gaby Show on 19th June, following along the
show's theme of hats, it being Ascot Week.
West Hill were selected from an Internet search, as being both
local and having a colourful costume, making an attractive
display.
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Graham being Interviewed by Gaby |
Dancing the Rose Tree with Gina |
Graham Cole was interviewed by
Gaby about the origins and traditions of Morris Dance.
We then danced the Rose Tree, lifting our Rose - played by Gina
Lee Nolin of Baywatch - into the air at the end. (There are times
when being a dancer really does have advantages over being a
musician !)
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No shortage of uplift ! |
Playing out the end of the show |
It was somewhat nerve wracking.
Short notice (what - you need time ?? It's only Morris Dance !!)
Could we get a side together on a Thursday morning? What tunes to
play - could we play them, and could we do the dance requested?
When we got there, we found that the producer only wanted a few
seconds of dance. And in a small space. No headroom to lift the
Rose without hitting the lighting. Oh, and can you do something
to play us out at the end of the show? We solved that by doing
just the last chorus of the Rose Tree, which fitted the timing to
a tee.
For the ending, we improvised and danced a simplified Bonny Green
Garters to the tune of the Floral Dance (also special request).
Result? A great thing to have done, the audience certainly
enjoyed the occasion and cheered enthusiastically on our
appearance.
Afterwards, photo with Terry Wogan, autographs and brief thank-yous.
Extra special thanks to 'outsiders' Graham for the interview,
Graham and Stuart for reinforcing the Music, and to Pete and Bob
of Frog Island Morris for their support on the dancing front.
What next ... Jools Holland ????
