La Meri’s Castanets

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 194, 18 August 1936, Page 4

La Meri’s Castanets

The castanet playing of Signora La Meri, the beautiful and famous dancer, who is visiting New Zealand for a recital tour, will bo a revelation to all who hoar her. Many of tho Spanish dances which La Meri will present will bo accompanied by castanets. It is not generally known that the note given out by the right hand castanet is two full tones higher than that emitted by that of the left hand, also that tho climate of a country affects tho resonance of tho little instruments. During her recent scries of recitals in London, Signora La Meri discovered that the damp, northern atmosphere, coupled with the artificial heating of the Savoy Theatre, had a very bad effect on her castanets, which lost the brilliance of their tone. In the hands of a great dancer castanets become most expressive and the changes and nuances in the clicking play a very important part in the dance. One European paper wrote of La Meri, “She can stand still on tho stage and do nothing but click her magic castanets, which send thrills up and down tho backs of her audience." The wonderful effects made by La Meri and her castanets were frequently remarked upon by the London press. La'Meri will give her one and only performance in Palmerston North on Wednesday, August 19, at the Opera House. The booking is at Collinson and Cunninghame’s. la response to repeated requests the management have pleasure in announcing that a matinee will be held on Thursday, August 20, at 2.15 p.m.