JAZZ RUN MAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 70, 24 March 1926, Page 7

JAZZ RUN MAD.

MARSEILLAISE SYNCOPATED. PARIS, March 1. Ycm cannot jazz the "Marseillaise" in France, was the decision of the Prefect of Police after Harry Pilcer, a well-known American dancer, former partner of Gaby Deslys, nearly caused ii riot at the Empire Music Hall by introducing a newly-created dance to a syncopated version of the great French patriotic air. Pilcer, who is highly popular with Parisian audiences, was for the first time introducing his brother, Dudley Douglas, and his sister, Elsie Pilcer, to whom the public was ready to accord a hearty reception. But when the dancers commenced to step out lightly to the mutilated melody which led the ragged hordes of the First Republic to battle and since then multitudes of Frenchmen to the death of heroes, angry murmurs rose from the packed house/ which rapidly turned into shouts and yells of anger. An attempted counter-demonstration by the artists' warmest supporters was soon howled down. Finally the curtain was lowered and the manager made a public apology. The prefect issued a general warning that similar attempts to misuse the national air will not be tolerated.