PAVLOVA SEASON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17879, 22 June 1926, Page 10

PAVLOVA SEASON.

DRESSING IN BALLETS. Colours, rich, swift-changing, mist of music and the indescribable beauty of the dance, the shining figure of Pavlova making immortal moments. These are the things which made last night memorable for those who gathered in the Theatre Royal when Pavlova and the Russian ballet opened their Christchurch season. Russian ballets seemed remote as the moon to New Zealanders, but now' one has come and thunderous was the welcome it received. For the dancing to have its highest aesthetic effect, it is necessary that it should l>e

staged in jxirfect surroundings. Therefore, the artists who designed the scenery and costumes for the ballets had a big responsibility, which they completely discharged. Madame Pavlova made her first appearance in the Fairy Doll ballet. The scene was set in the doll shop and the old shopkeeper is showing his quaintlyattired customers his wares. Then he comes to the Fairy' Doll clad in a costume consisting of a cuirass bodice of

silver tissue low cut and sleeveless, with frills of silver-spangled tulle forming the ballet skirt, with choux of rose and mauve feathers at intervals, and a brilliant head-dress in Russian style Surely this entrancing figure was an exile from fairy-land indeed. In the Gavotte, she had a dainty, plain-cut Empire frock of primrose crepe de chine, with a narrow train, which she cleverly managed by a wrist attachment. A poke bonnet completed a delightful costume. The swan frock was exquisitely made in white with appropriate feathers.

The picturesqrie peasant costumes in the Polish wedding made a delightful picture, and the white bridal frock, of Mdlle. Faucheux appeared in simple contrast against the high-coloured dresses of the wedding guests. The alternate green and gold classical robes worn by the dancers in Primavera of the divertissements created the essential atmosphere of chaste elegance. Miss Thurza Rogers, a New Zealand member of the company, appeared in an eighteenth century scene dansante with M. Pianowski. She wore a crinoline frock of white satin lace and roses over an undress of frilled lace, and a white wig.

M. Laurent Novikoff was a stately figure in the costumes which he wore while dancing with Pavlova. The ballets were all beautifully dressed, and their rich colouring -was one of the many memorable features of this magnificent show. Pavlova and Miss Rogers received several bouquets during the evening.