DANCE RECITAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17183, 29 October 1923, Page 9

DANCE RECITAL.

The Caledonian Hall was. crowded to its utmost capacity on Saturday evening, when Afiss Cox and Aliss Myers held their dance recital. Seldom has Christchurch witnessed a more enjoyable and entertaining performance than that of tho young people who have received such careful training in the capable hands of Miss Alyers The “Centre Practice,” the opening item of the programme, was very much appreciated by the audience, as it gave an insight int-o the making of a dancer. Put into such interesting form it all looked so easy, but one can well realise the daily “ side practice ” and elementary “centre practice” to be gone through beforo this stage is reached. Of course, it was only a small example of all they must he able to do, but one can well understand how beneficial such control of muscle and body must be to health. This is well realised on seeing tho bright and happy faces of the children. Operatic dancing as danced by Gene© and Pavlova has been very little known in New Zealand, but it is encouraging to see how quick people arc to realise and appreciate it. Aliss Alyers has been in London studying with Espinosa, and has passed several examinations for operatic dancing. Es-. pinosa is one of London's most famous dancers and teachers, and has done a great deal towards forming tho British Operatic Association. This association, with Genoe as its president, a committee of the most prominent London dancers, and Espinosa* as its examiner, has done much in raising the standard of dancing in England, and dancing teachers, the same as teachers of music, arc finding it necessary to pass examinations these days. It is the hope of this association to some day form a British Ballet to equal that of the Russians. The technique displayed in Aliss Ilona Vaughan’© work was a revelation, and as near perfect as one ever sees it even among professionals. Her point© work, arms balance and expression were admirable. Tuttle Kathleen Mathew*© show's some hard and careful study, and has reached a high standard. This little dancer is most charming, all her movements being the essence of grace. Others deserving great credit are Joan Simon, another tot who is well on the way to make a brilliant dancer, and Dorothy Parson, who has great “ tout de force.” and should in ihe near future be heard more of. Another brilliant pupil was Aliss Edna Gill. Her power of expression and wholehearted enjoyment in all her work shows great ability. Her humorous sketch, done with ilona Vaughan and Dulcie AVoodbead, was the funniest item of the evening, and again ns a poor waif her acting would have done credit to any professional. The second half <*>t the programme was a “Ballet in Mime,” an original story by Mias Alyers for her pupils. This fairy tale ,{ In Dreamland ” was wonderfully interpreted. The frocking in all the items was original, tasteful and artistic in arrangement and colouring. The whole, including solos, duets and assembles, was arranged by Aliss Alyers. Hie music was in the able hands of Aliss Scrivener. Aliss Cox and Aliss Meyers are really to be congratulated, on the exquisite frocking at their dance recital. The blending of tho colours in the ballets was gorgeous and the dainty creations of the solo dancers worthy of mention. The dancing of the children is both graceful and full of expression, and the tiny tots of three and four summers in the daintiest of fairy frocks kept in stop wonderfully, and were greatly appreciated by the audience. Miss K. Matthews’s solo frock oE pale lemon ninon, with emerald and old gold inlet satin panels, looked very sweet, while Miss J. Simon’s frock of deep apricot and diamante w*as extremely dainty and suited this spirited littlo dancer. Rona Baughan in La Ballerina was really delightful, as was D. Parsons in an operatic solo. Little B. Armstrong as Thistledown wore a little thistledown frock of green georgette and billowy swansdown. J- Lynch in a beautiful frock of sunset taffetas and gold tissue with gold and shaded cire ribbons caught from shoulder to wrist, danced to the flowers most gracefully. Aliss AT. Frost-ick's “Dewdrop ’’ was of green tulle and shot taffetas, the skirt pouched and jewelled. Her head dress of sparkling dewdrops gave her a quaint appearance. D. AYoodhead as Af.ist in the palest of pink and blue ninon, with silver tissue overdress and pink and blue bunches of forget-me-nots in hair, was dainty, and the exhibition dance by J. Simons and K. Ala thews brought forth a storm of applause.