PUPILS OF MISS NETTA KEATES

Evening Star, Issue 18032, 28 July 1922, Page 3

PUPILS OF MISS NETTA KEATES

A most pleasurable evening was spent at His Majesty’s Theatre last night, the occasion being "the seventh animal demonstration by Miss Netta Kcntes’s dancing pupils. About forty of these young folk were brought forward, some almost old enough to bo thinking about putting up their hair, others quite little children. One may suppose that these performers found happiness in their duties as assigned, for to dance and frisk around is instinctive with girls, and when _ they can do so in pretty costumes, to nice music, and under direction which ensures the . appreciation that we all like, it cannot be otherwise than enjoyable to participate. The patrons of the demonstration certainly had an enjoyable time, for the demonstration was very cleverly managed. The items on the lengthy programme afforded ■ any amount of variety, the music was ! well chosen and diversified, the lighting ' skilfully worked, the dresses exceedingly becoming and tasteful, the performers fol- : lowed each other in continuity, without the least delay, and the replies to the almost unbroken succession of encores were invariably of the briefest nature, so that nobody dreaded a repetition becoming tedi- | ous. As Miss Keates gave the juniors a ; good opportunity, as well as the more . advanced, the dancing was of varying degrees of proficiency, but it was all most interesting and instructive. The teacher evidently has her pupils well grounded in i athletics and in deportment. They went through their work easily, in such a' manner as to show that they were not oyeri taxing their supple and miniature bodies. I and the onlookers noted with approval that none of the youngsters displayed that hateful showing-off which has to -be I guarded against. ■ The class calisthenics | proved peculiarly attractive, and much ' amusement was provoked by the endeavor j of the tiniest to emulate the doings of the | leaders. Some of the individual dancing ! reached a very high standard for pupils, i notably tho dancing interpretation of ‘ The ; Marseillaise ’ by Sylvia Lenz, the Russian ■ mazurka by Nancy Chisholm, the rainbow dance by "Gladys Crossan, the operatic dance by Vera Rix, the toe dance by Ada Phillips, and tho doll dance by Freda Black. The ballets were artistically thought out. Other pupils engaged, besides those aolready named, were Peggy Black, Irving M’Gregcr, C. Ewart, Joyce Reid, Molly Wright, Bill Robinson, V. Newton, M. Monaghan, J. Guthrie, G. Ovens, E. M'Laven, G. Hardman, F. Gordon, G. Allen, D. Morton, L. Jeffs, I. Murray, Phyllis Christie, M. Whelan, B. Lawson, T. Rix, I. Linkston, Lois S.owly, and B. Robinson. Miss Iris Keates was | at the piano, Miss Betty Garland supplied I the violin music, and Miss Lena Geddes 1 played the accompaniments for the singers, who were Mrs Wilfrid Andrews, Mr S. Taylor, and Mr W. Orewes. A recitation given by Wee Peggy Black_ added further variety, and another appreciated item was : the dance poem by Miss Netta Keates : The proceeds are to be handed over by I Miss Keates to the Otago Cricket .teo- ] elation, tho officers of which express themI selves as very grateful to her for her ■ thoughtfulness. ® -