RECITAL OF BALLET

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 51, 24 November 1941, Page 4

RECITAL OF BALLET

Colourful Presentation In Concert Chamber The recital of ballet by pupils of Miss Diana Power-Palmer’s school of Russian ballet drew a crowded audience to the Concert Chamber of the Wellington Town Hall on Saturday night. The programme was pleasingly arranged and varied, the standard of performance was high and the costumes were original and beautiful. At the end of the recital Miss Power-Palmer received a presentation from her pupils and the performers received many lovely gifts of Howers and other tokens. “By a Lagoon” was the opening number, in which small children danced as water-babies and water-nymphs. Pas-tel-tinted costumes and ballet frocks were worn and like the succeeding items, this was warmly applauded. “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” a delightful arrangement on the nursery rhyme theme, was danced with expression. Grown-up dancers an “Professor Barakoff’s Academy” wore striking white ballet frocks with black velvet sashes and neck bands, the men being in black trousers and full white shirts. The Premiere Danseuse wore a black tulle ballet frock with a tinsel design. The dancing and miming were excellent.

Solo items in the first half were a tap dance, “Black Out Stroll,” by George Smith, “Flame in the Wind,” by Lynley Kay and “One Summer’s Day” by Julie Flockton. Duos were presented by Joan Sommerville and Anne Menzie, “Love’s Dream After the Ball,” a graceful number with attractive Court costumes in blue and pink, and Coralanne Marris and Rosemary Tre wheeler, two small girls who danced together in ‘‘Jack and Jill.” Items in the Russian' ballet manner were well executed with precision and good toe work. A pas- de deux from “Aurora’s Wedding,” arranged by Petipa, was given by Elizabeth Ede and Lois Humphreys who presented a good interpretation of a difficult piece. A pas de quatre, taken from a lithograph in the British Museum of the four great nineteenth century dancers, Taglioni, Grisi, Cerrito and Grahn was danced with verve by Lynley Kay, Elizabeth Ede, Lois Humphreys and Anne Menzie, wearing full white ballet frocks. Fokine’s arrangement of the waltz variation from “Les Sylphides” was presented by Lois Humphreys and “The Firebird,” by Elizabeth Ede. Other ballets in this portion of the programme were “Hansel and Gretel,” “Lipsticks and Powderpuffs,’’ a tap ballet with the girls in scarlet and white satin costumes and “Destruction,” a ballet with clever miming, showing Polish peasants.being attacked by bombers. Vivid colours were seen in Joan Sommerville’s attractive costume for “Czardas.” Marie Cording wore a lovely white ballet frock for “Poisoned Berries,” “Operatic” was another solo by Fay Becker, and Anne Menzie danced “Moon Moth” with an easy grace. Saris from India in deep rich tones that made a symphony of colour on the stage, were worn by the graceful dancers in “Song of India.” A duo “May Day,” by Veronica Pitcher and Maureen O’Connor and a tap dance, “Gangway” by Joyce G’Smith, was also included. The concluding item was a spectacular ballet, “The Enchanted Kiss.” 'White satin ballet frocks, hand painted, made the presentation colourful. The Spirit of the Plains wore a green costume and the other spirits were dressed to represent storm and lightning. The dancing in this was of a high standard and earned warm applause. Other performers included Velma Carnegie, Avril Flockton, Patricia Mason, Colleen Johnston, Patricia Cowan, Ray Noal, Fione Robertson, Judith Moorhouse, Leslie Nichols, William Surrey, Rosalind McKinnon, Shirley Adams, Mary Walt, George Dawson. ITall Crawshaw, Billie Pond, Margaret McDonald, Annette Drummond-Hay.

Mrs. B. Webb was pianist, Miss Merle Jones, assistant pianist, Mr. Tate, violinist, Mr. J. Connelly, drummer, Mr. P. G. Porteous, stage manager, and Messrs. S. Eade and R. Taylor, assistant stage managers. Ambulance C’pper Trail.

The Indies’ auxiliary of the Welliuglington Free Ambulance is holding a copper trail on Wednesday round the D.I.C. block, in aid of funds. The auxiliary works hard throughout the year raising money, which is handed over to the free Ambulance Board at the annual meeting. The funds help with the upkeep of ambulances, each of which runs at an overall charge of 15J- pence a mile, making a. total cost for the year’s running of one and three quarter million pence. The auxiliary hopes that the public will remember the cause wjlli their pennies on Wednesday. Talk on Chinese Progress. The November meeting of the Alfretlton Wojnen’s Institute was held recently. Sirs. Hull presided. Airs. AV. Rolls read a report ou the conference meeting held at Konini last month and the Rev. Mr. McNeur gave an interesting talk on China and its progress during the last century. A small presentation was made to Mrs. K. Groves, who is leaving the district to reside in Masterton. A patriotic knitting competition resulted as follows: — Scarves, Mrs. 10. Ale Lean; mittens, Mrs. Hutchings; balaclavas, Mrs. R. Low.