ROYAL ACADEMY

Grey River Argus, 9 October 1941, Page 3

ROYAL ACADEMY

DANCING EXAMINATIONS. The annual examinations under the auspices of the Royal Academy of Dancing were held in Greymouth on Tuesday, the Examiner being Miss Kathleen Dayntree, of London, who is visiting Nbw Zealand for the second time. The results were as follows, the names of the candidates (all nupils of the Miriam Trott School) appearing in the order of merit, as it is the rule of the Academy not to publish marks gained:— Grade I—Rosemary O’Brien (Honours); Lois Thompson, Nina Bannister. Grade ll—Rosemary O’Brien (Honours); Betty Marshall. Rena Hughes, Noeline Spiers, Alison McKay, Betty Meyers. Grade Hl—Patricia Fischer, Barrytown (Honours); Rosemary O’Brien; Audrey Nott; Nancy Patterson (Hokitika); June Wilson (Hokitika); Alison Gallon; Margaret Bourke. Grade IV—Jean Moor (Honours); Enid Duggan (Runanga). Higher Division —Helen McMillan, Patricia Schulze. Membership Exam —Phillipa Young (Hokitika). In the course of an interview oy a representative of the “Argus,” Miss Dayntree said she had found a very commendable improvement in the general standard of the work of those she had so far examined on her present visit, as compared with that when she conducted examinations m 1939, a satisfactory feature being a marked rise in technique. Technique in dancing, as in any other of the arts, was of primary importance, as upon it the whole superstructure of correctness depended. This applied to the Greymouth examinees, whose dancing since was steadily rising as the result of careful competent tuition. Much depended on the tutor’s competence, not only by way of imparting, but of being able to demonstrate the dance. At Greymouth, a good even standard was maintained through the various grades, and suggested further improvement as pupils became more experienced. Asked the effect on the work of the Academy in Britain, Miss Dayntree mentioned that though the operation of the Academy, like every thing else in London, had been adversely affected, it had been possible to “keep the flag flying,” and all the principal ballets were still at work, chiefly providing entertainment tor workers in factories and also whereever soldiers were quartered. The entertainments by the ballet also had a satisfactory effect, giving a respite from the strain under which the workers carried put their onerous duties. Blitz or ho blitz, it was inspiring to see the slogan “Business as Usual” observed to the letter. The morale of the people of England was wonderful. It was heartening to see girls from shops which were reduced to a pile of rubble and bent up iron beams standing together in the street awaiting directions as to where they were to go to get their work started again. No one whimpered. The part young women were taking in helping in war work was striking. Through the Jong winter nights they were on duty lor shifts varying from eight to twelve hours with no better shelter from the cold than a “pillbox,” all uncomplainingly “doing their bit.’’ In all the vicissitudes of war the various kinds of entertainment have done much to alleviate the “nerves rack” and to keep up the spirits ot all. Miss Dayntree left last evening for Christchurch to continue her examinations. and expects to conclude the South Island examinations early in November.