DANCE-MAD WOMEN

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10782, 31 December 1928, Page 3

DANCE-MAD WOMEN

PETS OF MAYFAIR ROWAiTRRS. ; PAID PARTNERS. ' , ■pi •' ,' ’ -y ——- • “I have made CGOO in four months, haye dined at the best houses, eaten of;the best foods, and drunk of the befet wines. lam joining a motoring party for a tour through France, and shall end up at Juan les Pins before I start work -again when the winter Riviera, season opens at Monte (Jayio jit October.” Tins • confession-' was ' made - recently by, one of London’s, many professional male dancers, who are just now bidtl«ig.»farewell to their various affluent women.'clients after a successful season. • ; • ' , . . Among the many who are congratulating themselves on the rich hnrvest*the’ London season has brought thehß there probably, are few with mord. reason for t self-congratulation thaii'thefie pampered pets. l of Mayfair.

PRESENTS OF JEWELS. Either through advertisements dr by chahce introductions they offer their services to partnerless women, and in return receive handsome presents of money, clothes, and jewellery. Some are paid regular salaries by the' rich women they escort to dances. ■ ■ l A' comparatively easy life and a comfortable income l is the reward of these pet dowagers and debutantes whom they accompany '■ everywhere from May, "to. August. Others . have t'ljeir own pars and take, a holiday during the week and then-go over to Deauville. Le Touquet, to the Lido, arid other fashionable resorts, to renew their acquaintance with the yarn, partnerless, and, jazz-mad wives of nonkianciug men., ■ “Modern dancing, ’its rather intricate steps,: ancl« the number of "new dances that are, constantly' f being introduced, . are partly "responsible for the role of professional dancer being such a lucrative one,” said the ballroom .managed of a .leading hotel. ‘‘Society ..women dike to• lie up-to-date in their dancing, -axid iri many cases thfeir husbands don’t dance and haven’t the time to le.arn.” ‘•lt ' .p'AipJp. A WEEK.

‘‘So t dfe' of--the-'partners make as much.-assf Jo:.a'-u'.eek' ; aitA even more, and riiti cars'F ;Thev sleep duringj the. d'iy; 'arid dance half the nigh tv Not v :pf 'them are;.'..expublic scHodl- fiffd-',ex- J V arsity,- :..men. Professional dancing partners -in this country are the counterpart of those graceful, tactful, and well-groomed dancing men on the Continent, who, because of their fine manners, gracious compliments, immaculate clothes, and dancing, reap slicing rich harvest: among the rich women-.of Paris.” . The manager of a lyell-known West l£nd club said the growth of the. popularity of dancing, the shortage of men, and The independence of women, who often have more money than - men of their acquaintance in their , own. social sphere, prefer an “automatic partner,” whom they can summon ,at will.

‘'SIXPENNY PARTNERS.” “•The-idea started with the ‘sixpenny partner,’ a feature at the popular palais de dance establishments throughout London, tile suburbs, and provinces. This system has now extended to the smart clubs and restaurants in the West End. Dance partners in private houses even are not unknown,” he explained. At the end of this year’s Riviera season one flighty and amply proportioned English peeress is reputed to have presented her dancing partner, who had faithfully escorted her throughoutthe" season, with a new motor car. Whether the vocation of “professional partner” will last remains to be seen.