OPERATIC DANCING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 259, 30 September 1935, Page 8

OPERATIC DANCING.

EXAMINER’S EXPERIENCES. Discussing the standard of operatic dancing in the centres in Australia and New Zealand at which he had examined pupils, Mr Felix Demery, examiner for the Association of Operatic Dancing of Great Britain, who is visiting Palmerston North, said in the course of an interview with the “Standard,” that it was surprisingly good. In Australia, from which country he lias just come, he had had 1000 examinees come before him and the total in New Zealand would be in the vicinity of 100. Tt was difficult to generalise in discussing the standard of the work demonstrated, he remarked. Previously the teachers had had no definite grade on which to work, but they would now have a clear indication of the requirements. Operatic dancing did not alter in its character, so that standards of performance were the more applicable. One of a group of examiners for the association, Mr Demery was modest as to his own qualifications, saying generally that he had had 30 years’ experience in teaching dancing and stage work. He left London in March and first proceeded to South Africa. The association had sent examiners to that country for about 12 years, but this was the first occasion on which an association examiner had visited either New Zealand or Australia, but visits would be made every two years in future. Referring to professional dancing in England, Mr _ Demery remarked that the talking picture had made a permanent difference in the smaller towns, where actors and dancers had had a very lean time, hut in London the theatres were still carrying on and the outlook was quite good. On the grand council of the association, which, since lie left England has had its name changed by Royal command to the Royal Academy of Dancing, there were a number of eminent physicians who were firm believers in the assistance operatic dancing gave to better physical development and health, said Mr Demery. Among them were Mr R. C. Elmslie, 0.8. E., F.R.C.S.; Lord Horder, K.C.V.0., M.D., F.R.C.P.. and Sir William H. Willcox, K.C.1.E., C. 8., M.D. Among the prominent musicians who were members of the board were Sir Hugh Allen, K.C.V.0., D. Mus., principal of the Royal College of Music; Sir John McEwen. principal of the Royal Academy of Music, and Sir Landon Ronald, principal of the Guildhall School of Music. The association was brought into being in 1921, and in 1924 it had 462 members, but ten years later the number had risen to 2578.