The Victorian

{1897}

Introduction

The Victorian is a two-step sequence arranged by Walter E. Humphrey in honor of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897.

The Position

Half closed position, both facing LOD.

The Dance

Part I - Pas de Basques (4 bars): Pas de basque outward (1-and-2), inward (3-and-4), outward (5-and-6), and inward (7-and-8).

Part II - Two-Step and Trade Places (4 bars): Closing up to closed position, dance one and a half turns of two-step (1-and-2, 3-and-4, 5-and-6), then pivot two steps (7, 8), with the Lead tossing himself in front of the Follow to the outside lane on count 8, opening up to the opposite half closed position (Lead on the outside, Follow on the inside).

Parts III & IV - Repeat with Roles Reversed (4 bars): Repeats Part I and II role reversed. On Part III, the Lead's left arm in under the Follow's right arm, and in Part IV, take regular closed position, rather than role reversed position.

Repeat from the beginning.

The Music

Two-step music.

Sources

Walter E. Humphrey. (c. 1912). The London Ball-Room Guide. London.

For more dance descriptions, see our three books on dancing:
The Book of Mixers: 100 Easy-Teach Dances for Getting Acquainted (2022) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge,
Cross-Step Waltz: A Dancer's Guide (2019) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge, and
Waltzing: A Manual for Dancing and Living (2013) by Richard Powers and Nick Enge.

For full-length teaching videos, visit: University of Dance.

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