DANCE RECITAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 11 December 1940, Page 9

DANCE RECITAL

BY ELIZABETH HENDERSON SCHOOL OF DANCING PROCEEDS FOR PATRIOTIC FUND The pupils of the Elizabeth Henderson School of Dancing, assisted by several outside 'artists and Mr Clarrie Lee’s orchestra, were the performers at a remarkably fine dance recital at the Theatre Royal last night. The proceeds were for the Patriotic Fund, and quite a substantial sum will be handed over at the end of the week. Miss Henderson has been training her pupils, some of them very tiny tots, for some time, and must be commended on the way they danced. The curtain opened on a tap ballet of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, each force being represented by three uniformed dancers. Right through the recital, the costumes and uniforms were immaculate and caused much cbmment on their suitability. Master Harry Fleming contributed a song, and then there was a ballet called, “You’re as pretty as a picture/’ Outstanding in the first half was a tap dance and song by Patty Wright, aged four. She was dressed in silver tights and brassiere, with a silver bow in her black c:rly hair, and sang “Three Little Fishes,” in a minute voice while she solemnly and methodically tapped in time. “Book Ends,” by several tiny tots was very popular, the helpful little whispers and pushes on tl e part of the performers causing much amusement but the small fairies who danced from the inside of tl < Fairy Tales books, were very good. Other items in the first 1 alf were, “La Fantasie de l’artiste,” a picture story ballet: “The Gardener’s Surprise.” an elocutionary item by Miss Lois Boyes; “San Francisco.” a tap ballet; “Sur La Pointe.” a clever toe dance by Shirley Lock: “Nursie, Nursie,” sung by soldier Harry Shea very realistically to a red-caped nurse, Beth Wilkinson; “Dreams of Chopin,” a ballet, with Pamela Leighs as Chopin: “Short’nin’ Bread” when five littlV black girls sang and tap danced, while Brian ’Stafford sang and danced a solo. The last ite.n in the first hall was an appeal song, “Give. Give, Give,” sung by Ula E rummond to the chink of coins thrown into the Union Jacks carried round the theatre by redcoated soldier girls. The sum of £1 15s was collected in this way. “Woodsprites,” a Spring ballet with Jocelyn Allan, began the second half, ar..l was followed by “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” very well tapped, with Josephine as soloist in the s : ging. Oustanding in the second section was

a dance by Pamela Davies named: “Broken Charm,” when an Eastern girl | danced with a snake twined round her j body. One arm was sheathed to look j like the head of the snake, and the | writhing movements were very good. After the girl had died from a bite, ; the snake reared most realistically and triumphantly over the body, making more than one person in the audience shiver. “Good Morning” a tap dance and song by Zenda Arnold followed, and other items were “Stylist Tappers,” well performed by Josephine Tunnicliffe, Shirley Lock and Peter Bennett; an elocutionary item by Mr Randall Forsyth, and a tap ballet by seven small girls. “Destruction,” was a real- I istic dance of peasants working in the J field, when bombers appear and pro- j ceed with their ruthless task. Mr John J Henderson sang two songs, and Joy i Cotton danced an operatique dance. Mr A. H. Crawley, chairman of the j Nelson Patriotic Committee took the opportunity of thanking Miss Henderson, her pupils, and the other perform- j ers for the very good concert pro- j duced. He said it was such concerts ] that helped to swell the Patriotic Fund, j K thanked Mr Clarrie Lee with his | orchestra, Mrs Drummond, Mr Wally j Lock, Mr Verguson, Mr Henderson, ! Mrs Delaney, Mrs Stafford and the( doorkeepers and ushers for their part : in helping. Mr Crawley said that i Nelson had made £9.000 of its quota of £30,000 and he was sure that by Easter the whole quota would be reached. The Patriotic Shop had made £SBO in the few months it had been open. After a tap dance with Master Peter Bennett and Velma Price, as soloists, and a song by Mr J. Henderson, “Till the Lights of London Shin. Again,”’ the whole cast appeared on the stage, headed by Beth Wilkinson who sang “Good Luck and the Same to You.” Pamela Leighs recited “Recessional." and the cast saluted as they sang, “There’ll Always be an England.” God Save the King followed.