For my recent university project, I had to produce an A3 poster about a specific leisure trend in the nineteenth and twentieth century, along with case study to go with that trend and how it fitted in the broader context of the time. I chose dancing because I am a member of the swing dance society at university, so naturally I am interested in the history of dancing and most importantly I enjoy it! I chose my case study on Belle Vue in Manchester, as it was a very well-known place and considering Manchester is my hometown, I find it important to find out more about the area I grew up in for a heritage point of view. The Belle Vue was founded in 1836 by John Jennison. [1] It became known as the ‘Showground of the World.’ [2] It was essentially a huge entertainment complex, so not just solely for dancing purposes. For example, there were a zoo there. [3] However, due to insufficient funds, the whole complex fully closed in the 1980s.[4]

Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth century, the working week was reduced and there was an increase of pay in many occupations. [5] This resulted in people having more disposable income to spend. [6] Consequently, many people took this as an opportunity to devote their free time to leisure activities, such as dancing. In general, dancing reduced stress [7] and provided a distraction away from the busy working life.

For women, dancing represented freedom, as women were temporarily not bound to their traditional household duties such as cooking and cleaning. [8] Traditional dancing involved partners of two different genders. However, whilst many of the men fought during the World Wars, it was very common to see women dancing with women. In this way, many people felt as though music and dancing allowed them to express themselves and this was mainly seen to be a positive thing. [9] For example, in 1921, Major Cecil Taylor encouraged freestyle dancing. [10] Not only did grown-ups dance together, but so did children.  The printing press had an important role in promoting dancing, such as mass-producing leaflets on how to dance and how to hold your partner. [11]

Two children dancing at Belle Vue, Manchester
Source: Chetham Library archives, http://185.121.204.150/ChethamLibrary/#/details/ecatalogue/15312

Many types of dances in Britain have been influenced by other countries. For instance, the foxtrot was introduced to Britain in 1914 by America. [12] As a result of this, an ‘Americanisation of British culture’ (as it were called) was created. From foxtrot and charleston, a British equivalent called the quickstep evolved during the mid-1920s. [13] There was also an emergence of crush dancing. This was especially practical when places were quite full, as abbreviated moves were performed to fit more people on the dancefloor. [14] However, some people believed that dances from abroad (especially the American Charleston) threatened British national identity. It was temporarily banned in Britain, particularly in 1926. This is because was perceived to be immoral doing ‘silly immature things’ such as waving hands around and doing unusual face expressions to go with the dancing. [15]

Painting of the outdoor dancing platform
Source: Chetham library archives, http://185.121.204.150/ChethamLibrary/#/details/ecatalogue/13874

The Belle Vue had a few ballrooms. The first ballroom was, however, unsuitable for dancing. It was long and narrow and had uneven flooring. In addition, it blocked entry to the refreshment room, which would have caused congestion. It closed down due to safety issues. [16] In 1957, the Bavarian Banquet Suite opened. [17] Unfortunately, a fire in 1958 meant that the Elizabethan ballroom opened in 1960.[18] Roller skating was temporarily allowed in ballrooms, but it proved to be quickly unsuccessful, as it scratched the platform. [19] There was also an outdoor dancing platform. This was mainly occupied from the 1850s until the 1930s. [20] Half of the bowling green there was also used for outdoor dancing.[21]

Photograph of the outdoor dancing platform at Belle Vue, Manchester in 1904
Source: Chetham library archives, (1904) http://185.121.204.150/ChethamLibrary/#/details/ecatalogue/14034

On the one hand, there were lots of competitions at Belle Vue. [22]  There were also organised events. An example of this is the folk festival. On the other hand, non-competitive dancing was taking place. This type of dance gave opportunities for socialising and meeting new people, especially now that some people had more free time than ever before. [23] The invention of the radio and gramophone enabled dancing in the comfort of your own home. [24]  But from this, it was clear that there were class divisions between those who took dancing seriously (such as the middle and upper classes who could afford dancing classes and could partake in competitions) to the working classes who had limited opportunities, such as having to teach themselves to dance. [25] Nevertheless, dancing was very popular, and people are all classes could embrace it and have fun.

Article © Olivia Ignatowicz

Bibliography

Boardman, D., ‘Dancing at Belle Vue’ (2020) [Online]. Available: https://manchesterhistory.net/bellevue/attract.html Accessed: 15/05/20

Chetham Library, ‘Archives and Manuscripts catalogue’ (2020) [Online]. Available: https://library.chethams.com/from-home/ Accessed: 15/05/20

Cunningham, H., ‘Leisure and culture’ in Thompson, F. M. L. (1990). The Cambridge social history of Britain, 1750-1950, vol.2. – people and their environment. Cambridge U.P: (1990)

Garland, J., Gildart, K., Gough-Yates, A., Hodkinson, P., Osgerby, B., Robinson, L., Worley, M., ‘Youth culture, popular music and the end of ‘consensus’ in post-war Britain.’ Contemporary British History: 26(3) (2012)

Hill, J.,  ‘What shall we do with them when they’re not working?’ Leisure and historians in Britain in Bebber, B., Leisure and cultural conflict in twentieth-century Britain (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2016)

Manchester histories, ‘History of Belle Vue’ (2014) [Online]. Available: Jennison, G., ‘John Jennison – Belle Vue relating The Making and Growth of the Famous Zoological Gardens, Belle Vue, Manchester And The History of its Competitors A Century of Lancashire Open-Air Amusements 1825-1925’ Berwick Lodge, Disley (1929) [Online]. Available: http://www.chethams.org.uk/bellevue/files/original/13b69f08c480a455cbf4589dd1b10f8f.pdf  Accessed: 18/05/20

http://bellevue.manchesterhistories.co.uk/story/history. Accessed: 16/05/20

Nott, J., ‘Contesting popular dancing and dance music in Britain during the 1920s.’ Cultural and Social History, 10(3) (2013)

Nott, J., ‘The development of dancing in Britain 1918-50’ in Nott, J., Going to the palais: A social and cultural history of dancing and dance halls in Britain, 1918-1960 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015)

References

[1] Manchester histories, ‘History of Belle Vue’ (2014) [Online]. Available: http://bellevue.manchesterhistories.co.uk/story/history. Accessed: 16/05/20

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] H. Cunningham, ‘Leisure and culture’ in F.M.L. Thompson (1990). The Cambridge social history of Britain, 1750-1950, vol.2. – people and their environment. Cambridge U.P: (1990)

[6] J. Garland, K. Gildart, A. Gough-Yates, P. Hodkinson, B. Osgerby, L. Robinson, M. Worley, ‘Youth culture, popular music and the end of ‘consensus’ in post-war Britain.’ Contemporary British History: 26(3) (2012)

[7] J. Hill, ‘What shall we do with them when they’re not working?’ Leisure and historians in Britain in B. Bebber, Leisure and cultural conflict in twentieth-century Britain (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2016)

[8] J. Nott, ‘Contesting popular dancing and dance music in Britain during the 1920s.’ Cultural and Social History, 10(3) (2013)

[9] J. Garland, K. Gildart, A. Gough-Yates, P. Hodkinson, B. Osgerby, L. Robinson, M. Worley, ‘Youth culture, popular music and the end of ‘consensus’ in post-war Britain.’ Contemporary British History: 26(3) (2012)

[10]  J. Nott, ‘Contesting popular dancing and dance music in Britain during the 1920s.’ Cultural and Social History, 10(3) (2013)

[11] Ibid.

[12] J. Nott, ‘The development of dancing in Britain 1918-50’ in J. Nott, Going to the palais: A social and cultural history of dancing and dance halls in Britain, 1918-1960 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015)

[13] Ibid.

[14] Ibid.

[15] J. Nott, ‘Contesting popular dancing and dance music in Britain during the 1920s.’ Cultural and Social History, 10(3) (2013)

[16] G. Jennison, ‘John Jennison – Belle Vue relating The Making and Growth of the Famous Zoological Gardens, Belle Vue, Manchester And The History of its Competitors A Century of Lancashire Open-Air Amusements 1825-1925’ Berwick Lodge, Disley (1929) [Online]. Available: http://www.chethams.org.uk/bellevue/files/original/13b69f08c480a455cbf4589dd1b10f8f.pdf. Accessed: 18/05/20

[17] D. Boardman, ‘Dancing at Belle Vue’ (2020) [Online]. Available: https://manchesterhistory.net/bellevue/attract.html. Accessed: 15/05/20

[18] Ibid.

[19]  G. Jennison, ‘John Jennison – Belle Vue relating The Making and Growth of the Famous Zoological Gardens, Belle Vue, Manchester And The History of its Competitors A Century of Lancashire Open-Air Amusements 1825-1925’ Berwick Lodge, Disley (1929) [Online]. Available: http://www.chethams.org.uk/bellevue/files/original/13b69f08c480a455cbf4589dd1b10f8f.pdf. Accessed: 18/05/20

[20] D. Boardman, ‘Dancing at Belle Vue’ (2020) [Online]. Available: https://manchesterhistory.net/bellevue/attract.html. Accessed: 15/05/20

[21] G. Jennison, ‘John Jennison – Belle Vue relating The Making and Growth of the Famous Zoological Gardens, Belle Vue, Manchester And The History of its Competitors A Century of Lancashire Open-Air Amusements 1825-1925’ Berwick Lodge, Disley (1929) [Online]. Available: http://www.chethams.org.uk/bellevue/files/original/13b69f08c480a455cbf4589dd1b10f8f.pdf. Accessed: 18/05/20

[22] J. Nott, ‘The development of dancing in Britain 1918-50’ in J. Nott, Going to the palais: A social and cultural history of dancing and dance halls in Britain, 1918-1960 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015)

[23] Ibid.

[24] Ibid.

[25] Ibid.