Paine's 4th Set of Quadrilles: Part 1 Le Pantalon

Hi everyone,

Today I'm going to tackle the first figure of Paine's 4th Set of Quadrilles (c. 1815): Le Pantalon. Quadrilles have some stock figures, which, once learned, make it easier to learn a quadrille at a ball. James Paine (a band leader, publisher of Quadrilles and music seller) used some "stock" figures in his quadrille sets. For example, the "Pantalon" figure appears in both Paine's 1st and 4th sets.

For an amazing, and very energetic video of Paine's 1st Set of Quadrilles (of which the first 3 figures of his 4th Set are the same), check out the Nederlands Historisch Dans-en Theaterensemble performing at a Jane Austen Ball in 2006.

Basic Steps:

• skip change (forward and backward)
• chassé/slipping step
• jeté assemblé

There is more complicated footwork, but these are just some basics to get you through!

A really important step used in quadrilles is the jeté assemblé, which I mentioned in my first post on the Duchess of Richmond's Ball. I'll post the video again...

X = man
O = woman

Quadrille formation (man on the left, woman to his right):

• 1st and 3rd couples = head couples
• 2nd and 4th couples = side couples

1st Figure: Le Pantalon

** I'm going to give a pretty in-depth break down of this dance with timing and steps used, so don't be alarmed. It may seem overwhelming at first if you are not familiar with this style - but it will help if you are practicing at home or with a group.

A: Honours (8 bars).

• honour (bow/curtsey) to your set and to your partner.

B: Head couples (1st and 3rd) Chaine Anglaise (or, changes of rights and lefts - 8 bars).

• Think of the 4 changes of rights and lefts in English Country Dancing - this is the same figure!
• I would recommend 2 skip changes/hand in the chain.
• 2 skip changes crossing the set with the 1st change of hands (right) + 1 skip change along the set with the 2nd change of hands (left) + jeté assemblé.
• repeat back to correct sides.

A: Head couples Balancez et tour de mains (or, set and turn partners - 8 bars).

• Head couples turn in to face partner and do 2 chassés (slipping step) to the right + jeté assemblé, 2 chassés to the left + jeté assemblé (4 bars).
• right-hand turn your partner to place with 3 skip changes + jeté assemblé (4 bars)

C: Head couples Chaine des dames (or, ladies chain - 8 bars).

• 1st and 3rd women cross the set by right hands, and turn the opposite gentleman by the left hand, coming back across the set by right hands and turn your partner with the left to place + jeté assemblé.
• this is the same kind of motion as "swinging corners", except the women initiate instead of the 1st couple in English Country Dance.

** See middle figure for ladies' chain, and bottom for changes of rights and lefts.

Here is the diagram for swinging corners from English Country Dancing:

A: Head couples Demi-promenade and demi-chaine anglaise (8 bars).

• taking skater's or promenade hold as described in my Brussels Waltz post, head couples cross the set to the other side in 3 skip changes + jeté assemblé.
• head couples do 2 changes of rights and lefts back to place in 3 skip changes + jeté assemblé.

Side couples (2nd and 4th) repeat the figure.

For anyone interested in other quadrille figures, have a look at Thomas Wilson's "The quadrille and cotillion panorama, or, Treatise on quadrille dancing in two parts: with an explanation, in French and English, of all the quadrille & cotillion figures generally adopted, as described by diagrams on the plate."

Here's the whole plate illustrating the quadrille figures in this publication for anyone who's interested!

That's all for now - until next time... Happy dancing!