TOE-DANCING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3885, 28 August 1928, Page 70

TOE-DANCING.

PREJUDICIAL TO CHILDREN. LIKELY TO PRODUCE DEFORMITY, AUCKLAND, August 24. Toe dancing by small children was criticised this morning by Miss Madeline Vyner at the Auckland Competitions. It is a practice of which she does not approve as it may lead to deformity. At the conclusion of the toe-dancing section for children under nine, when she was announcing her decision, Miss Vyner said that she had not enjoyed the performance. The committee, she continued, liad been reluctant to include this particular class, and had done so onlv under pressure. Toe dancing’was difficult work and a great deal of technique was required in preparing the children who should not be allowed to perforin this dance unless their feet were strong enough to bear the strain. Although some children had performed the toe dance to a certain degree of perfection they usually had their feet misplaced aud their knees bent. That morning, said Miss Vyner, she had seen children threatened with deformed feet if they persisted in toe-dancing. “ This is not only my own personal opinion,” continued Miss Vyner, “it is supported by all the most reputable people in the dancing world.” She added that the toe dance should not be performed by children under 12 at least.