YOUNG' DANCER’S SUCCESS

Southland Times, Issue 23806, 2 May 1939, Page 4

YOUNG' DANCER’S SUCCESS

Promise Of Brilliant Technique RECITAL GIVEN BY ROWENA JACKSON Proving that the enthusiasm of the Russian Ballet stars for her ability was not misplaced, Rowena Jackson, who is soon to leave New Zealand for advanced tuition in London and Paris, captivated a big audience at the Civic Theatre last night when she opened the series of recitals .she is to give indifferent centres before her departure. She showed astonishing technique and charming grace in a group of dances. Her appearance inevitably invited comparison with the dancers of the Russian Ballet and it was apparent that she was already well versed in the complex art in which she hopes to attain a world reputation. Further study in the leading schools of the world, as recommended by Mme Baronova and M. Anton Dolin, should undoubtedly add the polish to a brilliance already possessed and qualify her to take a prominent place in the ballet. She also demonstrated a remarkable acrobatic development which, if skilfully controlled, might enable her to make notable progress in the technique bf dancing. The dances chosen for the programme last night were calculated to show different facets of her art. An operatic number, “Arabesque Valsante,” displayed her promise of development of unusual technique and she was perhaps happier in the lighter “April Showers” in which she showed _ skill in miming. The Princess’s variation from “Aurora’s Wedding," seen in Invercargill only a short time ago, was a brilliant performance indicating the young dancer’s ability to assimilate readily the training of a great ballerina, Mme Baronova having taught her this dance. By request, Miss Jackson gave an acrobatic dance, a graceful display of remarkable contortions. The audience was warm in its approval of the young dancer’s art. She received many bouquets and gifts and messages of good wishes from M. Anton Dolin and leaders of several dancing associations were read. Mr J. D. Campbell said that Miss Jackson had brought honour to Invercargill, the city of her birth, by . her success in dancing. The enthusiasm for her ability shown by the stars of the. Russian Ballet indicated that she was destined to have a brilliant career and on her journey abroad she would have the good wishes of the citizens of Invercargill. I Miss Jackson replied, saying she would not forget the kindness she had received in the city. In addition to the dance numbers, some excellent items were given by supporting artists. The Middle school choir sang a group of songs and the senior girls of the school gave a display of exercises. Other items were as follows: Song, “The Little Galway Cloak,” M_- Frank Johnson; recitation, “Packing,” Miss Joan Carter; song, “Sing, Joyous Bird,” Mrs B. W. Hewat; quartet, “The Mill Wheel,” the Lyric Four; song, “Molly O’Donegal,"’ Mr Rewi Kingsland; song, “The Second Minuet,” Miss June Campbell; humour, Mr Charles Trim; song, “My Old Shako,” Mr P. Linton Hodge. Mr Howard Moody was the accompanist and Mr Alex. Sutherland was stage manager.