If you feel that audience is irrelevant than do it in the privacy of your own home. To me it is essential - though I have been known to perform in front of a man and a dog. They got as much of the "show" as the ten thousand did on another occasion.
Guest, Jess A has it precisely to my way of thinking.
Geoff - the original comments were:
"In past years their stunts at Whitby have included 'gatecrashing' the 1999 dance finale photo (which was meant to be used as the millennium programme front cover),
Did you?
and offending many by starting to carry a mock coffin in the parade.
I can see how this was an attempt at something though clealry not everyone appreciated it.....
This year, they invaded the parade, barracked and attempted to trip dancers from another team,
I accept that you didn't attempt to trip but what about the rest?
and 'gatecrashed' the finale at the bandstand after being explicitly told by the dance coordinator not to perform there".
Did you gatecrash the Bandstand. Were you told not to perform there?
I am not having a go at Scratch/Motley or any other side. I happen to think that well-practised morris is great to look at and that the opposite is also true. I am therefore happy to support the original letter writer in his general contention.
As for street clothes, no objection to them whatsoever and nowhere have I suggested such. Tyler's Men danced precisely like that and I loved them.
But if the original complaint is true then IMHO there is a case to answer...... but no compulsion....
Dave Eyre www.collectorsfolk.co.uk Sheffield City Morris