FAQ

How far will you travel?

We work nationally and internationally. We are prepared to travel anywhere.

How long do you play for?

We normally perform up to two hours of music, which will be arranged in a way that fits your event- see the links on the left of this page for examples.

What is mediaeval dancing? Is it anything like a ceilidh?

Yes if you've ever been to a barn dance or ceilidh you'll have some idea. The dances that we will teach you are easy to learn a lot of fun and very energetic! They're also quite interactive- most of them are danced in a circle or lines and involve moving to a new partner each time you go through the dance so they're great for bringing people together.

Do we need any prior knowledge of this kind of dancing?

 No! It's easy- we spend a few minutes before each dance showing you the steps and we call the instructions out as we play so you can't go wrong.

Is it suitable for children?

 Yes- there is no bawdyness in our songs. Children love the mediaeval dances- we have performed on school days at historic fairs and had children as young as five joining in with gusto.

Do you use amplification?

We play acoustically when in strolling mode. For dances where the music has to project, we use a discreet top-of-the-range sound system.

Are you loud? What about noise limiters?

For events like dinners or receptions, we play at a background level; loud enough to set the scene, but not overpowering, so you can still chat to your guests. The dance part of our set is lively and dynamic, and no-one has ever asked us to turn it down! Many venues have noise limiters, which cut the power off if the sound exceeds a certain level for more than a few seconds, but, so far, they have never caused a problem for us.

How much space do we need for the dancing?

 Visualise all your guests standing in a circle, holding hands. That's the amount of room that you need.

If you're planning an event that incorporates a meal followed by a dance in the same room, you may need to arrange with the venue staff to have the tables removed, or pushed to the sides of the room. We can keep you entertained with some songs while this is being done.

Can you play outside?

 Yes, and we often do. Please bear in mind that, if we're playing for a dance or large outdoor event, we will need an electricity supply for our sound system and, if it's after dark, our lights. For a night-time outdoor dance, you will also need illumination for the dancing area, otherwise the dancers are likely to fall over each other!

Can anyone else use your PA system?

 Our sound system is a very expensive one, and we don't let other musicians, DJs, etc. use it, as, however careful they are, it's possible to damage it by unwittingly sending a loud noise through it, spilling a drink, etc. We're happy to provide a microphone for speeches or announcements, though.

Can you provide recorded background music when you're not performing?

Yes, we often do so. We do not make a charge for this unless you want it for a long time before or after our performance, in which case we may charge a small fee for our waiting time.

Are you insured?

 We carry public liability insurance up to two million pounds.

What about risk assessments and electrical safety?

 Our electrical equipment is PAT tested to the required standard. We are sometimes asked to complete risk-assessment forms, particularly for outdoor events, and are happy to comply.

Any other questions, please e-mail or phone!