Can Can Classes

Can Can first appeared in the 1800’s as a ballroom dance for couples. It wasn't until the 1920s before it developed into the risqué all female chorus line, first performed at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. Once seen as a highly inappropriate dance (cancan is French for “scandal” or “uproar”), with its high kicks and petticoat revealing, these days it’s considered perfect for getting toned, thanks to its fast pace and use of several muscle groups.

So after  stumbling across an advert for Can Can classes ( organised by Polestars, the same people who  provide and helped popularise pole dancing and burlesque) I decided, with a friend, to sign up for a four week course of “Ooh la la,” and hopefully get as fit as a Moulin mademoiselle into the bargain.
After a good stretch, Emma, our instructor, is keen to get us dancing.
Shortly all ten of us are high kicking, doing rond the jambes (a quick rotary movement of the right leg whilst jumping on the left – trust me it sounds much easier than it actually is) and skirt lifting.
By the end of the two hour class we are all exhausted but no one can deny that the evening has been a lot of fun.

The following day I wonder if I have some secret athletic body that I never knew about, as I don’t seem to be in pain at all from the previous night’s workout. I only have to wait another 24 hours for my body to reveal that isn’t athletic at all, as I can barely move from the muscle pain.
Week two is even more demanding, Emma having added to the routine some frankly hard splits. Thankfully, since it seems that most of us can’t master splits, we are allowed to cheat and bend the back leg (which will be covered by the skirt, so no one need know.)
Some of my fellow Can Can dancers are obviously taking these classes very seriously and have spent the week  practicing. My friend and I are the only two who haven’t and I think our lack of co-ordination gives that away.
The following day I can just about walk: this is not good news as I’m moving house.

The third week we all more confident and manage to go through the full routine almost without a hitch.
I’m also aching less, which to me means I actually am fitter that I was a few weeks ago. My friend and I are already discussing buying Can Can skirts and doing performances at Burlesque nights.

Our fourth and final week will be the performance (sans audience thankfully – one could argue that without spectators it couldn’t be a performance, but that’s a topic for another article). I can’t believe we are almost at the end of the course and that I’ve actually attended all classes without feigning any exotic illness to try and get out of physical activity.
This can only mean one thing: I’ve loved it.

Stef Bottinelli

Can Can Classes are at the Cuban Bar, Latin Square, Farringdon on Tuesday evenings and cost £100 for a four week course including rental of the skirt. Taster classes are £20. For more information visit  www.polestars.net