DANCE RECITAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16571, 2 November 1921, Page 9

DANCE RECITAL.

A new note was struck in the dance recital given in the Theatre Royal last night by Miss Cox and Miss Myers. ; Many charming sclo dancers in tiny : children and older girls have been seen j in Christchurch, hut this is the first time an elaborate ballet, entailing sus- 1 tained effort on the i>art j dancers, some of them very young, has ( been attempted—and has succeeded. < The stage was set as a woodland scene, a wooded mountain and a lake in the background, while green shrubs stood at the side. In this setting was enacted the ever-beautiful legend of Echo and Narcissus, and while the large and elaborate company of nymphs went through their parts without a mistakeand in many instances showed real talent, the part of Echo, danced and ■ acted by Edna" Gill, showed a gra.ee and • charm the more attractive because en- J tirelv Jacking in self-consciousness. The’ dar.ee of entreaty and rebuff portrayed by Evho and Narcissus would have done

credit to much older and more experienced dancers, the little nuances of gesture and feeling showing when the natural ability of the two girls—the part of Narcissus was taken by Alaijorie Proctor—had been trained and developed by Aliss Myers. The dresses were skilfully designed to produce the best contrasting effect, the witches’ brooms and swathed heads being very happy, and the green draperies of Echo were a good foil for the blue and white cloak and tunic of Narcissus. This came fourth on the programme, the exercises danced by tho little girls at tlio beginning being extremely pretty. The frocks of flame colour, of black and of green, with the quaint granny bonnets, made a sweet little Old World picture. “La Coquette,” beautifully danced by Pauline East, had short black skirts, jetted bodice and shoulderstraps. a dress suiting both the dance and the wearer. The Californian Poppj Dance showed Marjorie Prostick in grey georgette underskirta with big poppy petals of scarlet silk floating out from her waist as she danced. The effect was charming and the dancing delicate and finished. Blanch© Hellin ©ll and Duloie Woodbead did a very attractive little Duo Dance,” one in a. page’s dress of blue and white, the other in many skirts .of deep rose georgette trimmed with satin of the same shade. The dance was clever, the two girls dancing and acting well together. The Russian Dance, with its reminiscene of the Czardas, was easily the most ppectacular of the evening. It was danced by older girls, who wore white tunics bound irith red, white breeches tucked into red top-boots, red caps witli white aigrette, and red or multi-coloured sashes. The elaborate dance was really excellently carried through and showed evidence of the most skilful training. It received an enthusiastic and well-deserved encore, and was danced through a second time. Throughout the entiro evening quantities of flowers and boxes of chocolates had been handed up_. most of the children ha vim* their hands more tha'ti full. Little Penny Alarsball. after her (i Tip-toe” dance, had difficulty in carrying away her offerings. The whole evening was a great success, and Aliss Myers and Miss Cox are to be sincerely congratulated.