We tittered royally at the news of Forest of Dean Tory MP Mark Harper breaking his foot after falling from a table in Soho. What was this pillar of the community doing on a table? Why, dancing, of course!
As the Minister for Immigration he was no doubt researching his brief in multicultural Soho.
Mr. Harper’s DRI – that’s Disco-Related Injury – has inspired our Daily Constitutional Dance Card: Five London Dance Tales
1. The Can Can
The dance that closed down the Alhambra Theatre, Leicester Square on grounds of obscenity.
2. The Lambeth Walk
The big hit from the Cockney musical Me and My Girl, was once described by Herr Hitler and his cronies as “Jewish mischief and animalistic hopping.” Oi!
3. Morris Dancing
The Westminster Morris Men (a bit safer than table dancing in Soho, Mr. Harper) can be seen regularly strutting their stuff outside the hostelries of London. This despite the hoary old gag, oft attributed to Sir Thomas Beecham, that one should “try everything once except incest and Morris dancing.”
4. The Lyceum Ballroom
Currently home to The Lion King, the Lyceum Theatre was, from 1951, a ballroom. In the stuffy, post-war era it was a great favourite among Londoners because, unlike other such establishments, the management turned a blind eye to smooching on the dance floor. Hoorah!
5. Pineapple