Mabel Gubbins Rapper

International Mabel Day III

Five pubs, eight dance teams... What could possibly go wrong?

(The opinions expressed herein are entirely those of Elizabeth-from-Mabel, and are almost certainly endorsed by absolutely no one)

Old School House

At the Old School House, a quick register was taken and we were revealed to have enough teams to start off the dancing.

First up were the newly augmented Mabel Gubbins, 4 standard issue Mabels and Judy (on loan from Shawn the Sheep) heroically taking the place of Whingey Mabel, currently off-sick from dancing. Many thanks also to the Old School House, who let us in early so Judy could have 15 minutes practice.

Closely following were Whip the Cat, the first visiting team to be able to rustle up five functional dancers. Whip the Cat are looking better every time I see them, and today they were on top form. Mabel has plans to kidnap (catnap?) one of them, and make them teach us all their funky figures.

Thrales. Still growly after all these years :) And still dancing well...

Insword got into the spirit of the day, by turning up with a substitute. Sally, resplendent in fluorescent pink wig, spangly outfit and leopard print tights was dancing in Sue's place at Number 3. Tacktastic!

Northgate went one better, and turned up with only 4 people, relying on picking up a stray dancer. Fortunately, Dave-from-Stone Monkey was conveniently stray, and hurled himself into the breach. I didn't actually see them dance, as I was trying to persuade Graham-from-Ryknild to stop eating pies long enough to get a dance out.

Ryknild were just showing off, by bringing more than five dancers with them. I think they produced the first tumble of the day, too. And I refuse to mention bloody yellow socks here.

Sister Act - controversially, these people aren't a rapper team. There's two of them, and they do appalachian style stepping. (Apologies if they do other kinds too, I only got to see them once.) You know how many appalachian steppers do very simple stuff, and rely on making it flashy? Sister Act don't, their stepping is spot-on, and brilliant to watch.

Stevenage also wanted to play the only-four-dancers game, and borrowed Andy-from-Thrales. Despite (apparently) having practised with them several times this year, we still got the "Jump, Andy!" followed by the bashed ankles :) Stevenage seem to dance fast. Really, really fast. They're all in the right place at the right time, though.

Far From the Madding Crowd

A new addition to the route this, as it only opened during the past year. It seems like a nice place, has a wooden floor, was serving Black Sheep Best, and didn't seem to mind hordes of people dancing in their nice new bar.

Substitution was still rife in the Insword camp. Sally was back to Tommying, and dark horse Brian (in a black suit) was dancing number 3. Blokes' teams take note: if you're one short, and Outside Capering Crew are about, Brian's capable of dancing in :)

Northgate cunningly avoided the substitution issue, with a reprise of their spectacular 4-man dance. Now without gaffer tape!

Most notable here was the first occurrence within living memory of a dance-by injuring by an active rapper team. A lost sword (uuuhhhh) during Stevenage's dance flew out, hitting Jackie-from-Mabel neatly on the nose. Stevenage, to their credit, recovered near-instantly and finished the dance. However, they made our Number 1 bleed copiously all over Martin Hanley, and we're going to bang on about this until they feel guilty enough about it to buy us enormous amounts of GIN. Jackie mopped up the blood and carried on dancing. Nothing Wet Mabel about her!

The Turl bar

Owing to a slight hitch of communication, 6 of the 4 teams who were supposed to be in the Turl turned up. Surprisingly, the Turl was very full of students (since when did that happen?) and they seemed to be really quite an enthusiastic audience. I couldn't see the dancing because of the enormous throng of people watching, but the cheering suggested it was pretty good.

The Wheatsheaf

I dunno. I was with the other people in the Turl. Apparently the Wheatsheaf had one bloke in it, who was busy watching the football. Mabel and Thrales danced for him at half time, then buggered off.

The Kings Arms

The grand finale, dances from everyone and even some sausages and chips. Northgate decided to up the stakes by announcing they were down to 3 men, and had to borrow a Mabel as well as Dave.

People seemed to enjoy themselves, some of them were even in the audience. Anybody up for next year?

Awards awarded...

Rosettes as usual expertly made by Jackie, and handed out as follows:

_ ...and possibly some others I can't remember off hand._

Abuse/praise to Elizabeth

Got photos? Send 'em along too!

Home