DANCE RECITAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 283, 25 October 1930, Page 3

DANCE RECITAL

MISS GWEN GIBBS’S STUDIO. CLEVER PERFORMANCES. Pupils from the studio of Miss Gwen Gibbs gave a highly-clever display of the manifold phases of a most delightful art last evening. It was the first public recital arranged by the talented, well-known dancing mistress and the result was a. splendid Buccess. The Opera House auditorium was full before the curtain rose, and during the three hours when national and operatic measures, or ballets expressivo of story interpretation, took the stage there was a feeling of, appreciation existent and much applause. It was a recital of distinct appeal, and one of the most enjoyable witnessed for a considerable time. Miss Gibbs has a number of talented young people under her guidance, and she has brought all her stage experience and tuition in the art to bear on her pupils. It was patent that there existed a sound foundation of technique—a foundation that corned 6nly from consistent study under the eye of an instructor who possesses the knowledge of imparting the rhythm and grace of the" dance. And it was equally patent that Miss Gibbs has that knowledge and in an advanced degree. Added to the grace and charm of little people in .the first steps of the art, and the technique and expressiveness of older, advanced students were interesting and striking stage settings and originality in presentation; and a number of people who often appear on the Opera House stage and are acceptable in their different mode of entertainment. The result could not have been other than success. Miss Gibbs presented the dancing to the best possble advantage. The costuming was right, and, more important, the music was right, so that from the opening. Ballet Greequo to the Spanish Scena, with its Tango Acrobatique—the soloists were Miss K. Boyle, late solo dancer of the Regent Theatre, Wellington, and Mr M. Henry —there was everything that was pleasing to the eye and ear. There were" such dancing themes as “Bachanalea,” “Nocturne” —with Chopin music—“Oriontal,” the more homely Highland fling, the highly-expressive “Moth and tho Flame,” “Love a-Hunting,” and “The Choice,” and tho Ballet operatique. There was eccentric tap dancing, an Hungarian study by Miss Doris Shapleski, a delightful Fas Seul by Miss Patricia Burgess, who performed as a tiny child in the amateur version of “A Runaway Gir.l” and who is now a promising young dancer, and a beautiful study, "Reflections,” by tho talented Margaretto Oram. There were other items of charm and interest, but more appealing and charming was the Gavotte danced by six baby children — Joan Potter, Phillipa Harvey, Joan Isbister, Betty Whyte, Josio Hart and Beryl Ebbett. There was a great deal of applause for them. Miss Gladys Smythe, of Wellington, a former pupil of Miss Gibbs, was not able to appear, so her Highland number found an efficient performer in Jean Scott, who later in the programme featured in a skipping exhibition and tho interesting theme of “The Moth and the Flame.” The performers were all distinctly good and worthy of considerable encouragement. Tho younger children pleased • greatly. There was such a lengthy programme that encores were forbidden, but there were times when one would have liked a little more pf a pupil. Miss Gibbs had splendid help from Mrs L. Potter, Mrs S. Bristow, Misses Ulu Hancock, W. Scott, B. Hancock; Messrs M. H. Oram, Norman Stokes, F. Patterson, M. Henry and O. Bell. There were two playettes, one entitled “Up-to-date Methods,” ■ produced by Mrs Potter, was most amusing, and the other entitled “Who’ll Dine and Dance,” in which the Misses Hancock and Messrs Stokes and Oram performed. “Up-to-date Methods” featured the Misses Hancock and Scott and Mcsdames Potter and Bristow. At the interval there was an acceptable xylophone solo by Mr Bell. Mrs, Potter Inter on showed a decided flair for comedy in the musical monologue “Im a Char,” also in the playette “Up-to-date Methods.” Miss U. Hancock and Mr Stokes sang a musical comedy duet, “The Two of Us,” and Miss Boyle and Messrs Henry and Patterson danced interestingly. The dancing part of the programme was as follow : Heralds, J. Potter and P. Harvey; “In a Moonlit Glade” (statues; G. Moore, J. Newlands). Ballot Grecque: M. Runnicies, J. Scott, V. Oram, P. Burgess, L. Cronin, M. Ireland, I. Havill, M. Oram, Y. Rapley, L. Ireland, N. Dustin, D. Foster, F. Colbourno, J. Cronin, B. Hardy, B. Shaw, J. Hart, J. Potter, B. Whyte, B. Ebbett, J. Isbister, P. Harvey; soloist, K. Boyle; “Tho discus Thrower,” D. Shapleski; Bachanalea, M. Boon; “Nocturne,” V. Oram (violin solo, Mrs R. Law); “Dancing to Save Our ■ Soles,” Misses Boyle, S. Bentley, P. Leydon, E. Boon I. Brown, R. Day, M. Cumming, D. Shapleski; Oriental, Miss I. Brown; Tap dance, Miss E. Boon; Reflections, Miss M. Oram ; Pas Seul, P. Burgess; Gavotte; Ballet Operatique, M. and V. Oram, J. Newlands, G. Moore, F. Colbourne, Scott, Burgess; “Love a-Hunting,” V. Oram; Liebestraum, P. Burgess (’cello solo, Mr W. M. Barnett); skipping dance and Highland fling, J. Scott; Hungarian,' D. Shapleski; “Moth and the Flame,” J. Scott; “Tho Choice,” I. Brown; “Trepak,” K. Boyle; Spanish scena, castanet dancers: E. Boon, P. Leydon, I. Brown, S. Bentley, M. Runnicles, ' .G. Moore, M. and L. Ireland, Y. Rapley, R. Day, M. Cumming, N. Dustin; tambourine girls: P. Burgess, J. Scott, V. and M. Oram, F. Colbourne, 'D. Foster, B. Shaw, J. Newlands, B. Hardy, I. Havill, J. and L. Cronin; . matador, M. Henry; Carmoncita, D. Shapleski ; tango acrobatique, K. Boyle and M. Henry. There was a splendid orchestra led by Miss Eileen Woodfield, L.A.8., F.T.C.L.