CHORUS GIRLS OF THE FUTURE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7800, 3 September 1903, Page 2

CHORUS GIRLS OF THE FUTURE.

THE NEW DANCE WHICH WILL OUST THE OLD. Paris "Le Figaro " published in July last an article from its special commissiotier in America. M. Jules Huret, which is likely to cause a sensation,. in theatrical and terpsichorean circles. — The article opens with a severe denunciation of the American theatre fromrEhe point of view of art. The plays, says M. Huret, are childish a>nd meaningless, and innocent of real merit. They consist generally of a sort of vague operetta, whichi is -merely am excuse for a great* deal of flamcing. And this brings us to 'the main point of M. Hure't's article— the* growth of the art of dancing in the American style. 4 " For on the American stage," says M. Huret, "everyone knows how to dance. The American chorus girl has resuscitated the art of movement — of making the whole body speak with a grace, a charm, a seduction which are incomparable. The combination of song and dance has made the American style a- new national axt, wJifoh possesses all the necessary elements for becoming a classic art,, and replacing that which has reigned for centuriesPand which is now becoming commonplace. "Tlie solemn and wearisome ballet has existed too long on conventional lines. At Paris, Milan, St Petersburg and Vienna efforts have been made to rejuvenate it, but it has lost all expression. Within thirty yeaTS, who knows that the American - dance will not be established in the academies of old Europe? You will see next year an intelligent director bringing to the boulevards the American chorp girl of the subtle hands and agile feet#