DANCE RECITAL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 1 October 1927, Page 11

DANCE RECITAL

BY PUPILS OF MISS JEAN BALLANTYNE. IN AID OF PLUNKET SOCIETY AND GIRL GUIDES. The Hastings Municipal Theatre was crowded last night with relatives and interested friends to view the dance recital, given by the pupils of Miss Jean Ballantyne. The time passed away very quickly as the various items were given, the programme going off without a hitch, rather a marvellous feat considering that most of the dancers were very tiny tots who had never performed before. Ne encores were allowed, but the children were showered with boxes of chocolates and baskets, or bouquets of flowers. The pupils looked very sweet as the curtain rose for the iirst item. Little faces glowing with excitement looked up at the audience who singled out the different children by name as the exercises progressed and each girl took her turn. An elf-like ■' Puck ’ ’ danced lightly on the stage in an enlerald green suit, and stockings, the points of the tunic glittering with red jewels. This was Fay Hall, who wafted about in quite as airy fashion as if born to it. The Japanese Fan Dance was very popular. Nine wee lasses in pink blue and mauve kimonos danced holding funs with which they bid their faces. Then they fell to the back ground while little Mary Puflett, very winsome in a pink kimono with large blue butterfly sash danced her solo in and out and around the others, and made clever use of her Japanese parasol. A sailor’s hornpipe was given by J. A. and L. Baird, B. Brown, N. Cumming, and M. Hall, who were very nautical-looking in short navy skirts, white middy blouses and caps and navy blue sailor’s ties. A play “The Sleeping Beauty” was charmingly depicted. Miss Stollery, who was frocked in gun-metal georgette with a draped and swathed top of chenille georgette, read the old story of the “Sleeping Beauty,” every word being clearly heard. The scene opened at the Palace Gardens, and there could he seen the ribboned cradle, the King and Queen on their Throne, and their courtiers around. The bad fairy comes in to the christtening of the baby, and foretells misfortune if it ever pricks its finger on a spindle. The good fairy drives the had fairy away. Later on the princess, 18 years old, pricks her finger, and falls into the sleep from which the fairy prince wakes her 100 years later with a kiss. It was all very pret’y, and the children looked most effective in their well thought-out costumes. The King, Margaret Bell was in scarlet and ermine with a gold crown. The yueen, Miriam Hunter, wqro scarlet robes and a long train bordered with hearts. The Princess, Aunotto Biddi■ford, looked sweet in her gauzy white dress with silver edged 1 rifts, silver bodice, and Juliet cap, from wnich fell long dark braids of hair. The Prince, Cecilia Pharazyn, was in an exquirite suit of black chiffon velvet, silk hose embroidered with silver, diamond buckled shoes, jewelled garters and neck and wrist ruffles of lace. The Prince and Pincess danced together very nicely. The Bad Fairy, Nenda Hill, danced prettily in a blue floating frock with touches of golden yellow on the bodice and skirt The Good Fairy, Fay Hall, was extremely dainty in a gauze fairy frock with gleams of sparkling silver, and her dancing was always most natural. Joy McNeil was a picturesque Herald iu a turquoise-blue satin suit, with gold fathered cap, also a golden belt and trumpet. Her sister Joan was similarly attired in blue with touches of cerise. Baby’s Nurse, Joan Carlton, wore pink, with a lacy white apron over her high waisted dress. Miss Jeanie Baird was daintily attired as a lady in waiting, and her dancing too was excellent. Courtiers wore taken by Nooline Cuming, June Budd, Suzanne Iliddiford, who all looked gay in contrasting dresses, and “guests” were A. Baird, B. Brown, M. Hall and L. Baird, J. McNeill and D. Wilson, J. Wilson and N. Wellwood; R. Greenwood and B. McKenzie who were quite sweet in their brightly coloured frocks and suits. Everyone loved the fairies —J. Ebbett, N. and M. MortimerJones J. McNeill, M. Pufflett, M. Budd’B. Bates, M.'Welch V. Phillips, J. Rivers, H. and P. Hamilton, E. and H. Roach, P. Whyte, M. Richmond, H. Bicknell. They all wore short gauzy frocks scintilating with silver and glittering with jewelled effect. One had an emerald jewelled head band and many had diamond bands. One pink fairy gave a touch of colour, also another with gold tissue bodice. All looked equally dainty, and their fairy wings were wonderfully natural of gold, silver, and gauze. A dance entitled “Seaun Truibus” was danced by six pupils in Scotch costumes. A -favourite item was "Les Poupees Dansants. ” All the children represented dolls, and the tiny tots delighted the audience. June Ebbett, as a Golliwog, was most cleverly costumed her array being identical with that of the black nursery favourite in its red coat; and her dancing, 100, was most doll-like and clever. Mary Mortimer-Jones as a doll, with whom Golly danced, looked sweet in airy white, with a wide blue sash, and she danced well. A “Pas de Deux” was admired, being given by Judith Wall and wee Joan Rivers both in gauze pink, who tip-toed with grace. Eight pupils danced to Mendelsohn’s Spring Song, and interpreted the spirit of that season with floating frocks, gar lands of flowers and pretty tableaux An item which appealed to all was that given by Glyn Davies, Herbert Balantyne and Billy Pointon, who | wore white trousers and scarlet coats - as soldiers. Their dancing was good, ; and their evident enjoyment added to ■ the entertainment of the audience who heartily clapped them. Fay Hall ; and Mary Wall made an attractive pair as Harlequin and Columbine. Harlequin wore black satin, with black-edged, ruffled white organdie at the wrists and neck and 'Columnine looked sweet In white. A Hawaiian dance by Suzanne Riddiford and Cecilia Pharazyn was fantastic, and the costumes well thought out. ' Both girls danced with due attention to native rythym, with a tapping accompaniment from their fringed mats. A tambourine dance included J. Baird, N. Cuming, B. Brown, N. Hill J. Budd, B. McKenzie, L. Baird, M. Hull, A - . Baird, J. Carlton.

The girls made a pretty picture in their black boleros and scarves, gold coins and gay skirts. The last item was unconventional, and was watched with interest—a •‘Folk Dance.” This gave the appearance of children at play till on doser attention the grouping and dancing ahowed systematic training. The music was supplied by Ferbraehe’s Orchestra, and Miss Ilona Woodward played at the piano.