DECADENT "SHOWS."

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 102, 1 May 1909, Page 14

DECADENT "SHOWS."

Now, after an endless number of Salomes have dragged the dance of the seven veils through back alleys and barrooms, dodging the policeman's thick stick all the time (says the Argonaut), Oscar H'ammerstein decides that the time is ripe for a serious production. It is more than whispered that he does so at tho instigation of Mary Garden, who thought that the part of Salome would give free play to her powers as an actress and her charms as a dancer. The nGvelty of a prima donna of established reputation and also of wonderful beauty appearing in the dance added to the drawing power of the music drama. | It was the dance that was the main feature of the performance and will continue to draw crowds when curiosity has sated itself, if the crowds are drawn at all. That, at least, is what the prophets say. It_ was a series of poses executed with a sinuous, languorous grace, seductive in every motion. As she danced, Miss Garden dropped one veil after another until every line of her beautiful body was visible through her diaphanous draperies. The dance was thrilling from the sheer sensuous beauty of line and movement. Young girls said it was "lovely." Some of the men said it was "rather tame." Middle-aged matrons brought their families and were humorous about the attitude of their husbands. The audience came to be shocked, and was disappointed because it was not shocked enough.