“CHOOSING A DANCER”

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 50, 22 November 1928, Page 6

“CHOOSING A DANCER”

MISS NESTA CARWELL COOKE’S RECITAL

Fantasy in exotic settings and brilliant costumes reigned at the Graud Opera House last night, when Miss Nesta Carwell Cooke, with the assistance of her numerous pupils, presented "The Choosing of a Dancer.” This entertainment was but a framework for the dance In its many guises, but as written by Mr. Wilsou Hogg, it formed a fitting background, and sustained the interest throughout the evening. The “argument” concerns the Shah of Persia's search for the finest dancer on earth, and he who furnishes that commodity is to have as reward the fair Amestria (his daughter), she being one of the fairest hand-maidens of Terpsichore, but alas, Amestria loves Muzzajar Fetto, a noble prince of the land, be being but one of those who search for this jewel of a dancer. Muhammed and Mirza are also princes, and they bring to Persia dancers from many lands; but Fortune favours the lover, who hies him to America, and engages the whole of Zelgfeld's Follies. These, with their snappy rag-time dances, arc on the point of winning out, when Mirza arrives with a quintet of English dancers, who, in a dainty toe ballet, carry all before them. Mirza is awarded Amestria. much to the lovers’ chagrin, when, to their immense surprise and relief, that Prince renounces the gift, having become enamoured of the solo dancer from Londou (Miss Cooke), so that all ends happily The burden of the dialogue falls on the Shah, who in a voluminous black beard, was capitally impersonated by Miss Mavis Halliday.- Miss Dorothy Mclarlane danced gracefully as Amestria, and the three princes, in gorgeous raiment, were well played by Misses Molly Essou. Elsie Fry, and Mavis Tolan. Miss Carwell Cooke carried off the chief honours in the dancing interludes. As the doll in the “Toy Soldier Ballet,” the leader of the rag-time ballet, and as the solo dancer in the final ballet, she danced with admirable verve and grace. Another dancer who stood out boldly in an artistic dance was Miss Audrey Waite, who was the graceful and sinuous odalisque to the life. Miss Dorothv McFarlane was also effective in an Eastern dance, “The Musical Box,” with Miss Barbara Sherwood aifd Miss Bernice Hogg as two tiny Dresden figures was a charming fancy, and Miss Lorna Thomson' was successful in her skipping rope dance. Other ballets were the Grecian, Russian, Persian, Chinese, lantern, and finally one representing the United Kingdom and her colonies. The recital was in aid of the funds of the nursing guild of St. John. Lady Alice Fergusson was among those present. A word of praise is due to Mr. James McKenna for the excellent stage settings.