THE OLD WORLD

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 15 January 1927, Page 17

THE OLD WORLD

NEWS FROM LONDON Theatregoers who happen also to be lovers of animals will have a specially “soft spot” for Miss Fay Compton. Every now and then, at her beautiful old farm near Godaiming, she boards some workworn horse that needs a change, and ensures that everything is done for its comfort during its little holiday. Miss Compton is kept supplied with pensioners by the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, who would ■doubtless like to sec this humanitarian example copied by others who are in a position to help with the good work. One of the most charming aspects of the astress’ farmyard, by the way, is the old-world dovecote that is her special delight. The Queen of Rumania’s visit to the United States is keeping the gossips busy in regard to that rumoured film contract on the other side of the Atlantic- One who is well acquainted with Her Majesty assured me that it was more likely the Queen would write for the films than act for them, though she was not averse from doing both—on one condition. That condition is that the King should give his consent. Of one thing we may be certain. The fee will have to be an exceptionally high one, as it would be devoted to the various Rumanian , charities Queen Marie has so much at heart. The United States will have to pay very_ handsomely for the glory of billing a crowned queen in a cinema east. Rumania’s royal genius is an excellent business woman, as well as a gifted writer, and those business faculties are especially on the alert when Rumania’s well-being is in question.

With the Prince of Wales and Queen Maud of Norway self-confessed Charleston enthusiasts,'it is not surprising that the well-known' teachers of dancing are being besieged by learners anxious to acquire the new “flat” steps. Most pupils, one danseuse told me, learn in a single lesson, for the new approved style is much easier than the old jumping and locking version. But there are more ways of learning the Charleston than taking . lessons in the orthodox manner. lam assured that quite a big part of the enormous success of the “Blackbirds” shown at the London -Pavilion can be attributed to the exposition of this branch of terpsichorean art. Here, of course, you see the real thing. London has never known such dancing. And night after night the cheaper seats are filled with Charleston aspirants. One group of girls, I was told, have not missed a single performance —with the one aim in view of perfecting their steps.

I,ike most people who know Sweden well,' Mrs. Elliott-Lynn lias come back from her recent Swedish visit full of enthusiasm for the beauty of the women’s complexions. Their freshness, of course, is Nature’s own. for cosmetics are virtually barred in that Spartan little country. They are wonderfully sturdy and fit, too, these .Swedish ladies, as might be expected in the land where the physical jerks come from, so to speak. And incidentally, long before the belles of London, Paris -ind New York had discarded whalebone and steel the Scandinavian girls belonged to the anti-corset brigade. 1 remember a certain very beautifully young Swedish student, wha was my guest for some time, expressing horrified amazement at the kind of garment an English girl donned before the tricot era dawned- She wondered how we could possibly breathe. So do we!— London correspondent of the Auckland Star.