THE RUSSIAN DANCER.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1229, 11 September 1911, Page 9

THE RUSSIAN DANCER.

Wo are not accustomed in this country to take even the best ballet dancing too seriously (says a writer in the. Manchester "Guardian). It is otherwise in Russia. Mme. Geltzer, one of the most famous Russian dancers, who shares with only ono other lady the right to bear tho honorific title of "Ballerina," and who appeared at a theatre in London recently, is puzzled , at the frivolity and, more still, at the commercial spirit of the British stage. "The managers of theatres here are kind and generous (she told a correspondent the other day), but they forget that ono is an artist. In Russia it is so different. There art comes before all else. The public expect to see a dancer beautifully, dressed on tho stage, and our greatest artists aro glad to design the scenery and the dresses for the ballet. In private life it is expected that a- great actress or dancer will dress quietly. If sho goes about in elaborate Paris frocks people think that she is a frivolous person who does not realise tho serious character of tho artistic life. I am told that there are English actresses who have the dresses .which they wear at balls and parties described in the newspapers. That would, be fatal for tho reputation of a Russian actress. Theatre managers pay handsomely •in England, far better than in Russia, but they seem to think that players are machines. How can anybody play the same part for a year, as' they do 'in London, and remain an artist? I am coming back to dance in London for three months next year, bvt nothing would induce me to play longer. I should cease to be an artist, and turn into a mechanical puppet." Perhaps the most extraordinary thing about most of tho Russian dancers is tlioir contempt for. money. "What is money.' said Nijinsky, the great male dancer. "One gets along somehow, and the only thin" ono has really to think of is one's art ° I have been offered huge sums to do a music-hall turn, and I utterly refuse to be sandwiched between acrobats and performing dogs." It was mentioned that the divine Sarah had succumbed to the gold of the music-halls. ' She ought to be ashamed," said Jtijinsky. Our correspondent found an American theatrical a«ent leaving Mme. Geltzer's nouse. He has offered me an enormous sum .to dance in New York," she sank It is rather a temptation, but I. shall Tesist it because L want to create the chief part in a new iaHefc at Moscow. I think of the great theatre there filled with painters and 'eulntori and critics and men of. letters on tie fir t night; the delight.of sat.slyirV"hat wonderful audience is more to me than all the dollars the Americans can give me."

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