Dancing Pupils Delight Large Audience

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 280, 27 November 1939, Page 12

Dancing Pupils Delight Large Audience

ARTISTIC RECITAL AT OPERA HOUSE The principal of the Broadway {School of Dancing, Miss Gwen Gibbs, M.R.A.D., L.I.S.T.D. (O.B.), gathered fresh laurels in a long list of successes for the rare artistry of the annual recital by her pupils at the Opera House uii Satu lay afternoon and evening, this year’s offering being styled ‘‘Snow White and Di vertisements. ’ ’ The programme included delightful solo numbers in infinite variety, demonstrating a pleasing standard of technique, with colourful and accurate dressing, but above all Miss Gibbs deserves the thanks of the public in that she is striving to make her pupils listen to and interpret lovely music. This was most marked in ‘‘Operatiquo Interlude,” an arrangement of the classic , ballet, ‘‘Les Sylphidcs,” "Which calls for particular atmosphere, and which was the outstanding item on the programme. The curtain rose to disclose -the intermediates in short white ballet frocks, with wreaths of white flowers in their hair, posed for the ‘‘Adage,” which drew spontaneous applause from the audience, as did their presentation of tho classical movements. Then followed the corps de ballet in romantic ballet frocks to present exquisite “Waltz Variations,” the gem of tho evening, tho fascinating “J?as do Trois,” by Lorraine Major, Betty Green and Alice Johnson, the dancers with arms linked achieving absolute simultaneity of movement; Audrey Wilton in a cleverly executed “Pas Seul” and the corps dc ballet again in the “Finale.” With the exception of the “Pas de Trois,” which was danced to the music of the “Four Little Swaus” in “The Swan Lake” ballet, the interludes were danced to the appealing Chopin music. Tho story of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” which opened the programme, was delightfully told in mime and indicated a very lively appreciation of this form of art by tho pupils. The staging of the scenes in the woods with Snow White discovered by the Prince; Snow White and the animals and birds, the march of the dwarfs, tho cottage in the woods, all made an instant appeal. Beverley Wilson was a captivating Snow White, delightful freedom from self-consciousncss characterising her attractive and clever work throughout the evening. Heather Goldingham was indeed the Prince Charming, Audrey Wilton a very impressive Queen, and also tho sinister witch, Lorna Winks the huntsman and Dorothy Dean an adorable white rabbit. The dwarfs were Pamela Lecher, Ann Henson, Joyce Napier, Margot Harris, Heather Eyre, Pauline Woodham, jean Ferguson, while the animals were Pauline Hoskings, Margaret Brace, Eileen llardie, Fay Loche, Prudenco Lusk and Sybil Shaw, the birds being Marion Fowlds, Janet Oxenham, Linette Hall and Patricia Den by.

Most spectacular of tho presentations was “Les Papillons,” in which the intermediates appeared as gorgeous butterflies, with spangled tights and glittering wings in every hue, and another colourful offering was the lively Morris dance to Edward German’s music, which was the linale, the students appearing in brightly flowered cotton frocks with white ficliu and floral halos.

Space does not permit of individual comment in such a diversity of items, but mention must be made of the charm of Annette Major and Muriel Carter iii their conception of “Flirtation,” of the airy grace of Jean Hardie in “Peter Pan’s Shadow,” of Rosa Procter’s appreciation of lino in “Valse Triste,” of the exquisito beauty of “Idyll” as interpreted by Margaret Pegden and Lorraine Major, of the classical duo, “Impromptu,’’ by Alico Johnson and Betty Green, of tho cleverly conceived ‘ ‘ Golliwog ’ ’ danee by Piera Monro and the technique, the sincerity and repose of Lorraine Major.

Most impressive was the modern German work, “Slaughter,” as presented by the body culture class, which was the interpretation m movement of the noises and sounds of a big city, to the music of “Slaughter in Tenth Avenue.” This work stresses the importance of relaxation rather than forcing to achieve an effect.

Following was the detailed programme: —‘‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”; “The Parade,” juniors; “Peasant Dance,” Vivian Morgan; “Valse Triste” (Sibelius), Rosa Procter; “Flirtation” (Ketelby), Annette Major and Muriel Carter; “Tho Bubble” (Beethoven), Barbara Williams; “Tap,” Mori Donoxan; “Gavotte” (Ketelby)

juniors; Operatic (Nevin), Barbara Harris; “Peter Pan’s Shadow” (Cole-ridge-Taylor), Jean Hardie; “Swing,” seniors; “Joyous” (Percy Grainger), Fay Loche; “Pas Seul,” Pauline Hoskings; “Blues,” Lorraine Major, Rosa Procter, Betty Green; “Mary Quite Contrary,” Eileen Hardie; “Humoreske” (Dvorak), Margaret Brace; “Impromptu” (Schubert), Alice Johnson, Betty Green; “Les Papillons” (Bendix), intermediates; “Operatique Interlude”; “The Hoop” (Drdla), Lorna ■Winks; “The Dream” (Coleridge-Tay-lor), Jean and Eileen Hardie; “Pas d’Echarpe” (Coates), Annette Major; “Modernc,” Heather Procter; “Idyll” (Schubert), Margaret Pegden and Lorraine Major; “Mazurka” (Delibes), Alice Johnson; “Pas de Valse” (Gounod), Beverley Wilson; “The Rivals” (Weiner), Daphne Eilers; “Leibestraum” (Liszt), Margaret Dermer; “Rhythm,” seniors; “Hessian,” Joyce Pratt; “Reflections” (Mendelssohn), Muriel Carter; “The Gollywog,” Piera Monro; “Slaughter,” body culture class; “Hungarian” (Braluns), Heather “Pas de Deux” (Weiner), Audrey Wilton, Lorna Winks; “The Shawl” (Armandolar), Betty Green; “Sur les Pointes” (Tchaikovsky), Lorraine Major; “Country Dance” (Edward German), linale. Corps de Ballets.

Babies: Marion Fowlds, Linette Hall, Dorothy Dean, Patricia Denby, Janet Oxenham.

Juniors: Paulino Hoskings, Margaret Brace, Margot Harris, Heather Eyre, Ann Henson, Eileen Hardie, Prudence Lusk, Joyce Napier, Pauline Woodham, Sybil Shaw, Pamela Lecher, Fay Loche, Jean Ferguson.

Intermediates: Audrey Wilton, Beverley WilsoD, Jean Hardie, Barbara Williams, Janet Wilson, Diana Ward, Priscilla Cooper, Judith Lyons, Piera Monro, Joyee Pratt, Gillian Peren, Heather Goldingham, Anne Flood, Lorna W inks, Barbara Harris, Vivian Morgan, Ann Andrews, Judith Knight, Ann Langley, Jennifer Will, Betty Cody, Flora Watkins, Audrey Cooper, Shirley Crane, Kathleen Fowlds, Doreen Butler, Deirde White, Patricia Madgewick, Paul Franco.

Seniors: Lorraine Major, Margaret Pegden, Betty Green, Rosa Procter, Annette Major, Mori Donovan, Alice Johnson, Juliet Major, Heather Procter, Muriel Carter, Margaret Dermer, Betty Muir, Enid Sinclair, Myrtle Clark, Peggy Rowntree, Jean Chapman, Evelyn Young, Ngaire Waugh, Doris Porter, Edna Whitehouse.

At the conclusion of tho programme the students were assembled on the stage for tlie presentation of studio prizes and lioyal Academy certificates by the Mayoress, Mrs. A. JS. Mansford, who was presented with a lovely bouquet by Pauline Hoskings. . Mrs. Mansford thanked Miss Gibbs for the invitation to present tho prizes and congratulated her on the excellence of the recital. All would agree, she said, that the programme had been delightful and that Miss Gibbs had the happy knack of bringing the best out of her pupils. She hoped Miss Gibbs would long bo spared to Palmerston North to continue her good work. Mrs. Mansford called for an expression of appreciation of Miss Gibbs, which was responded to with enthusiasm. The prizes presented, Miss Gibbs thanked Mrs. Mansford, also the audience for support and applause, the people back-stage, friends and mothers whose help had been invaluable, and in conclusion extended good wishes for a happier Christmas and brighter New Year. Behind scenes the children received their tributes of flowers and other gifts. Prize List Intermediate aggregate for 1939: Beverley Wilson 1, Lorna Winks 2. First-year intermediate aggregate: Barbar Harris 1, Flora Watkins 2. Attendance intermediate classes: Jean Hardie, Lorna Winks. Progress, intermediate: Joyce Pratt, Betty Cody (first year). Juniors, aggregate, 1939: Paulino Hoskings 1, Margaret Brace 2. Attendance: Pauline Hoskings, Eileen Hardie. Progress: Pamela Lecher. Beginners’ class. —Progress: Dorothy Dean. Attendance: Marion Foulds. Behaviour: Janet Oxenham. Good girls: Linette Hall, Patricia Denby. Royal Academy cl Dancing certificates. —First grade: Barbara Harris, Patty Harries, Barbara Williams, Flora Watkins, Diana Ward, Margaret Brace, Ann Henson, Heather Eyre, Betty Cody, Pamela Lecher, Eileen Hardie. {Second grade: Pauline Hoskings. Third grade: Vivian Morgan (honours), Joyce Pratt, Audrey Cooper, Jacqueline Foster, Jean Hardie, Gillian Percn. Fourth grade: Margaret Dormer, Piera Monro. Fifth grade: Juliet Major, Lorna Winks. Elementary certificates, R.A.D.: Audrey Wilton, Alice Johnson, Auuette Major. fj Advanced: Ebbett Muir, Lorraine Major. Elementary certificate of tbe Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (stage branch): .Lorraine Major.