GRACEFUL BALLETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 236, 5 October 1937, Page 11

GRACEFUL BALLETS.

"RUNNYMEDE'S" COLOUR. One oi the pleasing features of the colourful operatic presentation, "Runnymede," now in its third week at His Majesty's Theatre, is the work of the trained dancers. Two ballete are seen in spectacular dances of the period. The senior ballet of 10 dancers performs the graceful Pavanne, while the junior ballet, comprising 20 dancers, is seen in the "Battle of Flowers" and "Sunshine and Shadow." Attractive costumes in harmony with the play's setting and period are worn to excellent effect by the dancers, the general effect being one of grace in outline and action. Mies Cecil Hall is ballet mistress.

The fact that "Runnymede" deals with an episode famous in Emglish history should enhance its entertainment value. The author, Dr. George de Clive Lowe, did not bind himeelf slavishly to keep the story historically accurate, but for the most part the productron deals with events as they actually happened. The events which led up to and the signing of the Magna Charta are so rich in incident and allow so many opportunities for the weaving of a colourful story that it is no wonder the operatic drama has been proclaimed by those in the theatrical profession, as well as others, as one of the finest etage productions presented in Auckland for many years.