Rapper sword
Rapper sword is from North East England, originating in the region’s mining communities. Five dancers are linked by rapperswords – short, flexible metal strips with wooden handles on both ends. This dance is traditionally performed indoors on wooden floors.
The dance is fast and compact; each dancer linked to the next by their swords, forming patterns and shapes above the dancers' heads. During the dance the swords are interlinked and displayed to the audience before the furious whirling and weaving movement resumes. The rapid movements are punctuated by percussive footwork – step dancing.
Maltby Phoenix Sword
EFDSS in partnership with Youth Dance England, U.Dance 2012, Southbank Centre, London 2012
Photo: EFDSS; Photographer: Roswitha Chesher
