BRILLIANT DANCING BY ROYAL BALLET ARTISTS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29239, 24 June 1960, Page 15

BRILLIANT DANCING BY ROYAL BALLET ARTISTS

The audience at the Majestic Theatre last evening saw the second programme presented by the visiting artists from the Royal Ballet. The attendance was again disappointingly small; but there was no doubt of the appreciation evoked by this performance. Beryl Grey. Bryan Ashbridge, Pamela Moncur and Donald Britton all danced brilliantly. This was. in a sense, ballet in miniature. sometimes the merest souvenir; but presented throughout with perfect artistry. The programme opened with familiar strains of Meyerbeer's “Les Patineurs.” and Donald Britton as Blue Boy and Pamela Moncur as Red Girl made the first delightful sliding entrance. This happy beginning set the tone for the rest of the ballet, and the white pas de deux of Beryl Grey and Bryan Ashbridge was outstanding for grace and gaiety.

Solo numbers from “Casse Noisette” followed. Donald Britton’s “Buffoon” was cheerfully mischievious: but Miss Moncur's “Arabian Dance" had the charm of the unexpected. The same artists appeared in “Siren Isles.” but the effect here was a trifle confused, because of the vagaries of the spotlight. Nothing, however, could obscure the finish to which the unusual technio” o of this number has been brought by the dancers. This part of the programme closed with "The Sleeping Beauty.” in its charming way a wonderful opportunity to exhibit Miss Grey’s command of the art in which she excels. “The Miller's Dance” from “Le Tricorne” showed Donald Britton’s versatility. It was performed with precision and much loud Spanish stamping. “Reverie." which followed, is a dance the nrima ballerina has made particularly her own. In it the grace of Miss Grey’s more gradual movements, particularly her hand movements, could be studied. “Valse Eccentrique" was repeated from the first programme, and it appeared to be danced with greater spirit and eniovment than ever. Miss Moncur then contrived

a rapid change of mood, and in her variation from “The Sleeping Beauty” gave what is really her best performance in Christchurch this season. So much vivacity can only be regarded with surprise and admiration. Lovers of ballet have been eagerly expecting the pas de deux from “Don Quixote.” Mr Ashbridge has been seen here before with Rowena Jackson, and the Russians gave a notable performance. Miss Grey did not disappoint. With Mr Ashbridge she achieved the desired effect, not only of elegance, but of sophisticated elegance, and this was the highlight of the programme.

After the interval. Act II of Giselle” was again presented, as in the first programme. Although not more than thre dancers were ever on the stage at one time, some of the romantic spirit and much of the pathos of the ballet were revealed to the audience, and in fact this performance was a tour de force. —C.E.S.