BALLET GIRL'S SUIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 162, 10 July 1926, Page 23

BALLET GIRL'S SUIT.

"CARTWHEELS" AND "LIFTS." Miss Betty McCormack, aged 20, a ballet dancer, of Hampateal, N.W., goed. Mr. James Wood, professionally known on tbe stage an James Gaston, of South Parade, Chiswick, W., for damages for alleged breach of contract. The caie was heard In the King's Bencn Division, Mr. Justice Swift presiding. Mr. Eric Sachs, for Mies McCormack, Mid she was engaged by Mr. Wood to appear In an act known as "Gaston and Andree" for two and a-half yean, bnt a few montb* later. In April, 1925, after a performance In Vienna, that engagement was abruptly terminated. The defence was that the engagement was ended by mutual content, and alternatively that Mies HcCormsck was dismissed because of Incompetence. Miss McCormack said the act In which she appeared consisted of dances which tnclnded a lot of aerobe tic "overhead lifts." She waa held aloft by Mr. Wood. At the trial after which Mr. Wood engaged her he said she would also hare to do "cartwheels," and she soon became proficient. At one performance In • Vienna variety theatre her drefts became undone at the back and ahe had to hold It np daring tbe dance. "It was a little difficult," she aald. "as I had to lo a 'cartwheel.'" Shortly afterwards Mr. Wood aald to her and her mother: "I have finished with yon. Yon can both go home." On the way to the railway station they saw "OUT*," Mr. Wood* present dancing partner. Cross-examined, sne denied that abe danced against her parents' wishes. Her mother had said that. If she would give up dancing she would give her ft motor car. Miss McCormack said she was not nerrons on tbe stage, although she wae a little ncr voua In that Court. Mr. Justice Swift: We are all nerroos here. (Laughter.) The hearing was adjourned.