DANCING EXHIBITION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22133, 11 December 1933, Page 14

DANCING EXHIBITION

DISPLAY BY OTAGO SCHOOL HIGH STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE The exhibition of dancing presented in Hia Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday evening by pupils of the Otago School of Dancing under the direction of the principal (Mies Gwen Webster) was distinguished by a remarkably high average standard of performance. The programme arranged was an exceptionally attractive one, admirably produced and stage managed and varied in the most delightful manner. The performers, dancers of all ages and sizes, displayed a high degree of artistic skill and finish, their work reflecting notable credit on the instruction and guidance provided at thia well-known school. An orchestra under the able and understanding direction of Mrs T. J. Kifk-Burnnand, added greatly to the enjoyment of the evening and proved of the greatest assistance to the performers. The programme commenced with an overture by the orchestra, after which the delightful ballet “At the Links ” was presented by Miss Joyce Smith, Misa Joy Vickery, and Miss Lorraine Hill in the leading parts, and Misses E. Fraser, P. Page, B. Bryan, F. Bryan, V. Glengarry, L.'Hewitt, J. Meinung.and F. Robinson. The dancing was neat and skilful and the general effect charming. Miss Zalda Morris followed with, an agreeable elocutionary item, and then Misses Thelma and Joan Anthony distinguished themselves in the dance duo "On Leave.’* Miss Nellie Jamieson’s classic dance, “The Love Song,” was a very fine performance, and Miss Joan Buchanan made many friends with her character effort, “Kazatchka,” a well executed study which was followed by a delightful character song by Miss Pat Johnson.. The tap ballet gave an excellent account of themselves in a performance which was rewarded with well deserved applause. Those taking pare were Misses J. Anthony, B. Bryan, J. Bryan, C. Robertson, F. Bryan, Thelma Anthony, L, Hewitt and E. Vickery. “The Wonder Book” was a miniature production • comprising a delightful selection of dances and character studies in which a host of tiny performers presented terpsichorean interpretations of many of the quaint and beautiful little fairy tale characterisations of childhood. Miss Eileen Fraser’s “Playtime” and Miss* Betty Black’s “Little 80-peep” were both excellent, and there were style and imagination in the movements of Miss Lorraine Hill in " Little Miss Muffet” and Miss Lorna Hewitt and Colin Hewitt in “ The Two Little Chefs.” Miss Violet Glengarry was exquisite in “ Fairy Revels” and the “Four and Twenty Blackbirds ” number w’as a delight. Those responsible for this item were Misses P. Condon, June Goodwin, Betty Fletcher, Shiela Harrould, Juno Shaw, Heather M‘Kay, June Thawburn. Beatrice Condon, Betty Grant, Gwynneth Collie, and Betty Pete. Miss Mavis Christenson gave a charmingly finished performance in “ Golliwogs Frolic,” and Miss Peggy Halley as “ Miss Holland,” Miss Pamela Page as “Red Riding Hood,” and Miss. Nola Bond as “Wolf ” were all excellent. The “ Storyland” song by Miss Joyce Smith and ballet by Misses D., Tyrrell, J, Gregory, B. Johnston, J. \ Rose, F. Preedy, C. Beatson, T. Ellens, M, Ellens, B, M'Connell, Y, Myers, J. Scott, and S. Ellis proved a strikingly, appropriate finale to the production. “Circus Days” was the feature of the second half of the programme, and here . again the standard of the work done was very high. Miss Betty Bryan’s “ Circus Favourite ” was beautifully executed, and Miss Joyce Smith made the most of her opportunities in “ Clown Capers.” “ The Performing Ponies ” ballet; presented by Misses L. Hewitt, M. Elder, N. Moody, P. Page, Z, Morris, E. Fraser, V. Glengarry, J. Melnung, F. Robinson, and F. Watts was ploveriy arranged and admirably accomplished by the dancers. Misses Nellie Jamieson and J. Buchanan did very well in " Dobbin ” and “Ten Wonders” lived up to tho character of their programme names. They wijre Misses J. Smith, J. Vickery, J. Anthony, T. Anthony, C. Robertson, E. Vickery, M. Stevens, F, Bryan, J. Bryan, and J. Hewitt. Miss Lily Shrimpton and Miss Norma Brown were responsible for greatly appreciated vocal solos in this part of the programme, and Miss Lorna Hewitt produced rhythm and style : fn the classic dance “ The Enchanted Water Lily.”' Miss Betty Black’s operatic number, “ Sempra Giovine” was beautifully done, and Miss Betty Bryan was .both graceful and humorous in “On Duty.” “The Mexican Romance ” was a very attractive duo dance done by Misses Joan and Frances Bryan and Misses Joyce Smith, Violet Glengarry, and Pamela Page did themselves every credit in the bracket of three character solo dances fot which they were responsible. One of the most delightful performances of the evening wag the "One Winter’s Day” ballet, in which was included the beautiful snow ballet. The impression of rhythmic movement and graceful loveliness which-the young performers succeeded in creating was a great credit to themselves and to their instructress. Tho three skaters, Misses Betty, Frances, and Joan Bryan, were a delight to the eye, and the “ Pas de Trois” number presented by Misses Thelma Anthony, Margaret Davey, and Olga Davis was strikingly and beautifully executed. The main ballet comprised Misses J. Anthony, P. Davis, J. Hewitt, E. Vickery, Z. Morris, and C. Robertson.