A “FAIRY TALES” BALL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8331, 17 January 1913, Page 5

A “FAIRY TALES” BALL

One of the most picturesque and splendid functions of the winter season in London was the “Fairy Tales" ball given at the Albert Hall. The white and gold decorations made an effective background to the kaleidoscopic magnificence of the costume groups, and a huge Christmas tree radiant with gifts and lights and decorations, completely hid the great °^fho" costume groups entered the hall at half-past 13. by which hour the ordinary dancers had already enjoyed two hours’ dancing and were ready to enjoy the splendid spectacle provided by gorgeous costumes of the “fairy tale” groups. Among the tales made manifest were “Dick "Whittington,” which was shown in three groups; “The Forty Thieves," which met with great applause; “Blue Beard,’’ organised by Lord Alington. with a bevy of London’s mo.st lovely women as his “wives.” Then there was a “Peter Pan” group with Mrs Douglas Gordon as “Peter Pan,” and a "Pine Bird" group organised by Lady Alington, in which she‘herself took the character of “Night’’ with complete success. The twelve dancing “princesses” were one of the loveliest groups in all the amazing show of beauty and magnificence. Among them were Mrs Winston Churchill, Mrs Herbert Asquith, Lady

Diana Manners, Lady Dorothy Howard and Mrs McLaren. Mrs Schwabe wore the splendid dress of an Egyptian princess and absolutely scintillated with emeralds. Lady Bo thee represented Erect >is Stones m ‘‘Sinbad the and Mrs Leeds as “Cleopatra positively blazed with magnificent jewels. In quaint and striking contrast to such figure- as the foregoing were the White Babbit, the March Hare, and the Lobster from “Alice in Wonderland.” Most amusing of all, perhaps because so perfectly carried out, were tho impersonations of Mr and Mrs Noah, from tho Adk. Moving with wooden stillness, their arms pressed against their hard quaintly rounded figures, they were inimitable.