NATIONAL DANCING

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1927, Page 20

NATIONAL DANCING

TERPSICHORE ROUND THE, i WORLD. It would be almost possible) to colour i a blank map of the globe so as to show the manner in which national • dances obtain in various parts of the world. Actually it is more correct, broadly speaking, to assert that certain types of dancing hold sway among different races rather than among different nations, although, of course, this may not be an infallible law. Why is it, then, that the different races have prevailing types of dancing by which each may be distinguished froia the other? I think it is because the best characteristics of each race find outlet : through its particular dances (writes Anna Pavlova in the ' ' Strand Maga.zine"). The versatile brilliancy of the Frenchman irid all Latin races obtains suitable expression in the grace ; fully intricate movements of those dances which a::e curiously their own. In contrast, the clog dance of Holland, with its jolly, laughing clatter, is the truest possible indication of the openhearted happine;is of the Netherlander. Again, what could better express the feelings of the fiery Highlander than his own excited sword dance? Then there is the old English dancing, which seems to hava been inspired by the very spirit of another and slower age— that of grace, courtliness, and chivalry. I think it might almost be said that these distinctive movements are the personality of the race translated into rhythmic motion. A factor which I consider brings its influence to bear upon the art cf the dancer is the national costume. Eussian top-boots, for instance, are not the eas iest things in which to dance; but their very ability to move gracefully in spite of the weight and clumsiness of their attire enables Russians to be acknowledged by the majority as the world's most graceful exponents of the art. In this way, and with the assistance of the facile Slavonic brain; are developed that strength of sinew, and suppleness of muscle which enables our. ballet •lancers to perform evolutions which would seem to any other nation at fiaist §igM to fee almost impossible.