WARDROBE OF LA MERI

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 21, 24 July 1936, Page 15

WARDROBE OF LA MERI

"TERPSICHORE'S" FROCKS A stage setting with a pure white carpet like a fall of snow, backed, with bronze velvet curtains, and with rich blue satin curtains in front, was the artistic arrangement for showing up of the marvellous costumes worn by La Meri at her" recital at the Opera House last night. With the sixteen changes which the famous dancer made, it is a great task to give, any. sort of adequate idea of the "charm and artistry'of her costumes, or'of the richness of them, it isa case of "seeing is believing." Her first appearance was made in an immensely \y,ide-skirted frock of ivory Spanish lace, frilled from waist to hem. Her bodice was of black velvet jewelled at the neck, and there was a trail of scarlet roses'down the skirt, "matching that which adorned her characteristic Spanish head-dress. Another scene opened with La Meri reclining on an exquisitely' coloured shawl of embossed

peacock blue, her frock having a green velvet corsage and a red trailed skirt of red frilled taffeta, with bands of garnet colour and deep red, spotted with white. As a coy peasant girl, who amused her large audience immensely, the dancer wore a wide soft green skirt which whirled around showing the quaintest old-fashioned pantalettes. Coming to Eastern times, there was a superb Hindu costume (so effective with a blue lighted back stage with I red in front), head-dress and all complete, the various tones of the lighting making poetry of her outspread skirts. Great success was attained by the dance, to true Oriental music, of an imperturbable Chinese princess, whose magnificent embroidered white satin costume was worn first with a handsome cloak of Chinese red, the head-dress being of kingfisher blue, with three immense waving peacock feathers. The effect was enhanced by jewelled fans carried in each hand. The second half of the programme opened with a very famous number, "The White Peacock," the tight-fitting velvet bodice and long circular train being of softest white chiffon velvet, edged with toning silk, the closefitting cap head-dress being exceptionally becoming. Followed a "Nocturne" finely suggested in the simplest of gyninasium-style dressing in palest blue, all most classic and suitable, the stage being flooded with moonlight while the dancer carried out the intentions of the dance with much charm. Later a delightfully frilled Viennese costume of pale apple green

diaphanous material was worn, and a coquettish Victorian-style bonnet was carried gracefully round to Kreisler's music. A "comic" with the most unheard of masks and the story of Bluebeard'suggested was one that delighted all, and was among the encores. A Cuban mulatto with blue bandanna head-dress and long trailed skirt with many rows of white linen frills standing out in apparently brilliant sunlight made a most attractive representation i of native frocking. Then came the end of a series of lovely garments in a Mexican dance, the short satin skirt being exquisitely worked; the bodice was jewelled, and a wide Mexican hat was used for coquetry and other pur- | poses with delightful effect. There were many other frocks which were really revelations, but the few mentioned will serve to give some idea of the artistic treat to those who love colourful combinations and j grace in line. La Meri also makes a specialty of shoes, which, is worth noting.