THE TANGO COMPETITIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 15538, 7 July 1914, Page 7

THE TANGO COMPETITIONS.

TO THK KDITOK. Sir, —In last evening's ‘Star’ I noticed a letter signed ‘Fair Play’ commenting'on the judging of the tango competitions recently held in the Princess Theatre. 1 was one of the audience on Thursday night, and was greatly surprised at the placing ot Xo. 4 and Xo. 11 couples as second .and third respectively. At the conclusion of the second heat on Thursday night Xo. 3 couple were undoubtedly the winners ot the heat by applause, and received equally as good a reception in the Anal voting. As several couples all got a good reception for second and third place in the final. I think the fairest way would have been for these vouriles to have danced off again singly, and in the event of the audience not clearly separating them, Mr Phillips then to hav*- judged the places himself. Wc ,:!i know Mr Phillips did his level best under the circumstances, but it appeared t > mo that a. certain section of the audience were determined that their fancies should be placed, and even went to the extent of hooting some couples on being brought forward for applause, which was very unfair. Xo. 14 couple also came on for equally as large a snare of applause as dia the placed couples (No. 4 and No. 11), and when Mr Phillips asked the audience's approval of No. 6 first, X’o. 8 second, and No. 14 third his request mot with a very good reception; but a certain section of the audience again were dissatisfied, and called out several other numbers. Mr Phillips, in. a sportsman-liko manner, brought these other couples up for another chance, with the result that after a lot of changing of the couples about (th« audience were getting impatient). Nos. 8 and 14 were displaced in favor of No>. 4 and 11. after holding their positions for fully 10 minutes and receiving equally as good a share of applause, if not more. Mr Phillips did his best for every couple, and gave all a fair chance, but T think that under the circumstances it would have been more satisfactory to one and all had a judge been appointed, or even Mr Phillips judged himself. I know none, of the competitors in the competition, and am only writing this letter in the interests of the general public who patronise and enjov these competitors as they come along.—-1 am. etc.. 0. F! Maci’hkrso.n. Julv 7.