====== THE ELIXIR ======

or

**Sixty years young**

(for Christine Bower by Charles Bolton 9.10.99)

==== Charles Bolton instructions ====


3 couple set
<code> 
A 1 The top couple casts to the middle as the middles lead up (4)
the bottom couple casts up to the middle as the middles lead down (4)
The lines take hands: fall back a double and come forward (8). ·

A2. Couple 2 (at the top) begin a steady chain (4 changes, 4 steps each) 
to the bottom of the set, starting by changing places with partner by 
the RH, facing down and changing with the middle couple by the LH as 
the bottom couple back to back partner and face up (8), completing 
the chain by changing with the bottom couple by the RH, and with 
partner by the LH, and turning L to face again, 
proper at the bottom as the new top couple back to back and face up1(8). 
(order is 312)

B1 The top two couples, facing up, half double figure 8 (tops casting, 
middles crossing up), and the tops cast out again to the ends of a line 
of four facing up, middles moving up to stand in middle place as couple 2 , 
at the bottom, cross Lsh and move individually up the room to stand on the 
ends of the line of four to make a line of six (8). (from the L the line 
should be:- W2, W3, W1 , M1, M3, M2). The line leads up, falls back, and 
all face the centre of the line (8).

B2 Progressive grand chain: couple 1 start by changing by the RH in the 
middle of the line, LH to the next and so on. On reaching the end of the 
line, dancers move down individually on their own side to reform the set, 
the last couple crossing RH and standing in top place (12): all face down 
and tum single down and away (4).

(progression 231)
</code> 

==== Shortened instructions (JN) ====

<code>
A1 C1 cast to start mirror 1/2 hey to bottom.
   Lines back and double and forward with hands

A2. C2 (at top) begin 4 changes, 4 steps each:
  RH across, LH with middle, RH with bottom couple (original C1)
  LH with partner and turn L to face.
  Bottom C can back to back at start of figure before facing up.
  (order now 312)

B1 Top two couples, half double figure 8 (tops cast, middles cross), 
   tops cast out again to end of line of 4 facing up, bottoms cross L
   shoulder to ends of line of 6 W2 W3 W1 M1 M3 M2
   Up a double and back, All face centre of line.

B2 Progressive grand chain: couple 1 start by RH in middle
   On reaching end of line, lead down to reform set (order 231)
   All turn S down and away.
</code>