Alcide Capitaine.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 42, 22 December 1911, Page 16

Alcide Capitaine.

A Vaudeville Venus.

A SUPERB SPECIMEN OF WOMANHOOD.

What physical training can do for tsie human form divine is admirably illustrated in the person of Mdlle. Alcide Capitaiue, who recently visited Wellington as a member of Rickards' Vaudeville Company.

A "Worker" scribe happened luckily fro see her performance on the stage, and was so struck by its perfect grace and finish that he determined; to interview the 'lady and give a sketch of her career in these pages.

~As an exponent of physical ; culture and gymnastics the writer has never seen a member of "the" sex to equal Mdlle. Capitaine. Her figure is superbly developed, and every muscle in her beautifully proportioned body is educated to obey the command of her brain. To see her on the trapeze is » revelation of what can he achieved by systematic physical culture and 1 training. One sees the muscles flex and extend with the utmost mechanical precision in obedience te the will of the performer. Every movement is instinct with vitality and grac>. Here is indeed the true poetry ol notion. Mdlle, Capital lie's muscles are perfect. They do not stand out in rugged masses, but are exquisitely rouiidcd, and soft and silk.y in repose. ;

Built like a Grecian goddess, with the full, round, purple eyes-of Southern Italy, she is ah ideal eiiibodiment of womanly health and grace. Would that more of her sex would'learn the virtues of physical culture and develop such physiques—which are to. the eye what music is to the ear. ;

The writer had a very pleasant chat with Mdlle. Capitaine, who is a charming Italian lady, and learned that she bc-gan training at the tender age ef throe. Her father was a strong believer in physical cultui'e, and he has every reason to be proud of the sxicoess that attended his efforts. Mdlle. Oapitaine has followed her profession "all over the world, first appearing in pTiblic in Italy At five years of age. She appeared in South America on the flying trapeze, .and was a favorite of the late Dom Pedro, who lost his crown as the result of a revolution. She went through every form of physical exercise m all kinds of apparatus, and 13 now perfect mistress of her art.

Replying to a question, Mdlle. Capita hie said she did not follow any particular system, nor did she adopt any dietary regime,., .She eats amd drinks Uke ordinary mortals, and finds that two hours a day is sufficient: to devote to. physical culture. She is interested ia aviation, her brother being one of the rising aviators of Italy, and there can be no doubt that" if she took to the air she would achieve a great suscees in that element.

Mdlle. Capifcaine, who in private life is the wife of •Mγ J. Binus (also a member of Kiekards , Vaudeville Company), is now touring Australasia for the first time. The present tour is one comprising America., Australasia and the Old Country. She is now performing in Christchurch, which is the final city to be visited, and "Worker" readers who are interested in physical culture should not fail to see her remarkably clever performance. The. icompany all-round 13 the best vaudeville one we have seen in the Dominion. Mdllc. CapitainVs "turn" alone being worth the money.

'Doping" or "stiffening" racehorses, which at one time was a common practice in England ai. r? Australia, is now mostly confined to Mnssia, where it is •aid to■ liavo gn.nvi .nto a system.

The news of Gus Devitt's easy defeat at tho bands of Tod Whiting came as something oi : a surprise on the top of the Now Zealander's form.in his last few fights (says Adelaide "Herald."). Gti-t was taking life fairly easy down Lsi Adelaide for a week or two after his battle with Cripps, and possibly his condition went hack on him on Monday. Had he been at his best he would surely have gone the 20 rounds, though Ted Whiting is a wonderfully cool boxer who takes a lot of beating. Devitt has missed his chance of being Clabby's next opponent, and Whiting vw.il be .sent up against the successful Yankee shortly. On form Clabby ought to win. He played with Tim Land before stopping the stiff-legged boxer oh Monday, and prior to that won Sretty easily, from champion -Arthur rlpps. Dave Smith looks the only man likely to lower Clabby's oolours, •but Dave will have a useful pull ia t4t« ...-..•