How do you curtsey?

Question

Background: I am a guy playing a part in a play where I am a guy who also plays the part of a girl (Shakespeare in Love type thing - it's actually set in Elizabethan period). In my girl role I need to curtsey while wearing a long/wide skirt. Can someone tell me how to do a proper curtsey or point me to some directions on the web. TIA.

Answer 1

i dont know if this will help you, this is from the site http://www.ildhafn.sca.org.nz/faqbow.htm and it says this about doing a curtsey:

sweep one foot round about 30cm behind the other in a neat circular movement, bend your back leg at the knee, and incline your head and shoulders slightly forward.

A lord may place one hand in front of his waist and the other out to the side; a lady should place both hands slightly out to her sides, just holding out her skirts, or palm out if her skirts are too narrow to hold out conveniently. This method has the advantage of being neat and graceful, without sticking your behind out in the air (which is what happens if you just bend at the waist!).

Generally, don't sink to the floor or down on one knee, reserve this kind of reverence for when you are called forward in court, or salute the crown on the tourney field.

Answer 2

To do it the right way, it's actually kind of hard and takes practice. The point of it is, the lower you curtsy, the more respect you're showing. So a shallow bow may be to someone of a lower ranking, whereas the lowest bow (really deep knee bends) are required when curtsying to royalty.

With a wide skirt, the material should be abundant making walking easier. With one hand, often the right, grasp the side of your skirt and pull it outward so your feet don't get caught in it. Bend your left leg behind your right feet and remember to keep your back straight. Look down toward the ground, with your head bowed to show great respect, and keep in that position for a few seconds.

If you watch the movies that are out set in the Elizabethan period, they might help illustrate how its done better than describing =)

Answer 3

bring your right hand across body and place your open ppalm just below
where left hand shirt or coat pocket would be with left left hand placed in small of back -palm out--
while bowing (bending) forward at the waist 90* saying "my=me, LADY
If you hold a hat it would be in the right hand still placed below pocket level.

its done smoothly not fast but just as if you were going to shake hands exept you bow with hand folding in front and behind and voice saying MY or ME --LADY. (accented drawl)

hold bow for mental count of one-two and stand up.

Answer 4

Bend your right hand at the elbow and put is gently across your stomach. Bent at the waist as you look down. Move slowly then rise and look straight forward

Answer 5

thats easy grap each ends of your skirt with your thumb and forefinger, then lift the skirt a little as you bend your knees and smile

Answer 6

you cross your legs, and bend your knees like a mini bow while you lift your skirt a little

Answer 7

put your feet in a v-postion... then bend your knees (& take a hold of your skirt when bending)

Answer 8

by taking a bow