History of Can-Can

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What we know today as ‘Can-Can’ can be traced back as far to the Egyptians and the ‘Triori’ from South Brittany where women danced alone and kicked their legs high above their heads and lifted their skirts up. Images of women doing this were discovered on friezes on walls. The most famous Can-Can period in history was probably in the late 19th Century Paris which at the time was the dance centre of the world. The Can-Can is first said to be danced here in 1822 however was outlawed in 1830 for its ‘indecency and immorality’.

The word Can-Can originates from the French word ‘scandal’ as the girls would reveal their bare legs and even their frilly panties, which at the time was somewhat controversial. Some even claim that Can-Can dancing marked the start of public nudity as it broke the boundaries in terms of what could be tolerated. The Can-Can dance reached the height of its popularity around 1830 when the controversy surrounding the act had died down somewhat and numbers attending saw a dramatic increase. Popularity lasted till around 1844, after this time the dance mainly was used in revues and musical comedies, especially in France.

The Can-Can broke out onto the royal scene in 1845 when Princess Celeste of Morocco introduced it at several Balls having performed by all walks of life.

In Britain, the USA and elsewhere, the cancan achieved popularity in music halls, where it was danced by groups of women in choreographed routines. Can- Can first made its debut in America in the "Black Crook” at Niblo's Gardens in New York, September 12th. 1866.  This style was imported into France in the 1920s for the benefit of tourists, and the French modern Can-Can was born - a highly choreographed routine lasting ten minutes or more, with the opportunity for individuals to display their "specialties".

The characteristic movements include:
1) "Circling the Legs" (lifting one leg and rotating only the lower half, thus forcing the derriere to wobble)
2) The "Pigeon Wing " (bringing the bust into play by leaping forward, kicking high and throwing the shoulders back while "carrying on the arm" (holding one leg up against the cheek while hopping lightly on the other leg).
3) The grand finale (was the splits, generally done from a running start with a yell to the audience).
A Guinness world record of 8,005 high kicks were performed by Veronica Evans (-Steen), in 4 hours and 40 minutes in London, 1939.

Can-Can is Polestars newest product and is the most high-intensity workout! As well as providing aerobic fitness, Can-Can lessons are fantastic for toning legs, bums and tums! While less confronting than pole dancing lessons and burlesque classes, it is a great way to bond with old friends and make new ones, as it is a real team activity. This element of Can-Can creates a unique atmosphere in classes that are missing from traditional aerobics classes at the gym.

Polestars Can-Can course last 4 weeks (4 two hour sessions a week) and is £100.  For more information on our nationwide classes and parties, please visit www.polestars.net, email info@polestars.net or call 020 7274 4865 to book your place.

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