BALL TO RAISE FUNDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 5, 6 July 1939, Page 19

BALL TO RAISE FUNDS

MME. GENEE DANCES AGAIN

(By Air Mail, from "The Post's' London

Representative.)

LONDON, June 12.

Anton Dolin and Irina Baranova danced a pas de deux from "Les Sylphides" last week at .the first ball given ■by the Royal Academy of Dancing to raise money for a building fund'far new premises in a more central position in" London. It was ' one of the first public appearances of these artists since their return from New' Zealand and Australia. ■

One of the most interesting performances during the evening was given by the president,. Madame Adeline Genee, who, despite her 60 years, danced in a -small set called "Three Generations." -■ ■ .'•••.

Later she showed how the Viennese Waltz and the polka should be performed. The dancer's lovely pink chiffon and taffeta crinoline frock had been worn by Miss Anna Neagle when she played the part of Queen Victoria, but the crinoline foundation was the dancer's own. "See how it collapses," she said, as she sat down, pulling one hoop over the other.

It is forty years since Madame Genee came to London from Denmark, and it was in 1914 that she "retired." She danced with the gaiety and grace of a girl of twenty.

Madame Genee caught sight of Melchior, the opera singer,' watching her dance. She signalled to him, and they gave an exhibition polka, while onlookers clapped, in. rhythm with the tune. ..:■■■,

It has been said that Madame Genee, slim, active, and vivacious, keeps young by dancing every day after her bath. That is not true.

"I do exercises," she admitted, "every day, and some of them are based on dancing. But after the age of sixty daily dancing is too much."