BALLET DANCING IN N.Z.

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26117, 20 May 1950, Page 2

BALLET DANCING IN N.Z.

VIEWS OF VISITING EXAMINER

“Among the children and students I Have judged so far in New Zealand there is certainly ballet dancing talent to be found,” said Miss Joan Watts, of England, yesterday. Miss Watts is visiting Christchurch to judge candidates for the Royal Academy of Dancing. “Although they miss seeing real ballet in companies such as Sadler’s Wells, I find the entrants in New Zealand intelligent and keen. Many have beautiful figures and their legs and feet are good,” she added.

Miss Watts, who for four years was a first examiner for the Royal Academy of Dancing, was appointed a major examiner last year. This is her first visit overseas. She has her own school in Surrey, where 160 children from the age of three to 16 and older students are trained.

She considers that a school for ballet dancers where pupils receive not only a thorough education but also dancing tuition is “the only solution” to a big problem. “I find that often when a girl has had a day of lessons, gymnasium drill, and then perhaps basketball or some other sport, she is mentally as well as physically exhausted before she starts her dancing lessons.”

Miss Watts said that she was overwhelmed by the hospitality shown her during her stay in the South Island. Her first impressions of New Zealand are that “the people are most friendly, the climate is good, and the food delicious.” Her only regret so far is that she has not had any spare time to visit the many scenic resorts in the south.

After her visit to Christchurch Miss Watts will make a tour of many North Island cities. Before she leaves New Zealand on May 31, she will send her report to the Royal Academy of Dancing but the winner of the 1950 scholarship wall not be announced until much later.