MODERN DANCING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18089, 13 May 1922, Page 4 (Supplement)

MODERN DANCING.

One of the healthiest indications in the dancing world just, now is the decline ol "acrobatics," and this applies; both to exhibition dancing by professional, and to ordinary ballroom dancing among «""»• I tears, writes Madame Vainly, k in the Daiiv Mail. There has been a dangerous tendency of late to exalt acrobatic dam ing. Ivxhibifion couples have introduced examples of gymnastic skill which, although often distinctly clever, are neither beautiful nor graceful, and which twist the normal idea of dancing into something it wasnever intended to represent. Among amateur dancers Ihemselves, who dance merely for the enjoyment of it. there is a marked tendency to cut out different steps, and to perfect, the simpler stops. This is all in the right direction, yet one often meets novices who imagine that, in order to he a good dancer, one must acquire a. knowledge of as many steps as possible. It is infinitely better to know four steps and to dance'them well, than to know a dozen and dance them badly. Variation is useful, but not essential. People who have this passion for new steps are discouraged by acrobatic or intricate dancing. They feel they are no good unless they can" do everything that is being done: they find they cannot achieve their ideal; grow discouraged. and givfl Up. On tho other hand, the novice "'ho is content io start modestly with a few simple stops "ill soon be at home in the ballroom.