DANCE RECITAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18897, 23 October 1929, Page 12

DANCE RECITAL.

A delightful entertainment, in the form of a dance recital, was given last evening in the Civic Theatre by the pupils of Miss Margery Myers. There was a large and appreciative audience, and the music, dancing and artistic arrangements were all worthy of applause. The proceeds from the recital will be devoted to charity . The music was under the capable direction of Mr Hamilton Dickson, who displayed excellent taste in his choice of the numbers. Mrs Margaret Middleton was pianist and Mrs Francis Bate was leader of the orchestra. The programme opened with the J overture “Romantic” (Kelerdela), and was followed by centre practice by a number of the older pupils, who wore white ballet frocks. Their work was carefully done and with artistry and grace. The next item, “Petites Pointes,” was danced by Marie Hall, who was a picture of daintiness in her frilled frock of primrose net. The Floral Ballet received applause which was well merited. It was given by nine of the intermediate pupils. The girls wore deep green tunics with a swathed band of roses round their hair and from one shoulder of their suits. “A Quarrel” was danced by June Beadel and Marie Pither, who wore pink satin. They displayed a thorough understanding of the dance. “The Russian Mazurka” was danced by the older pupils, wearing green and gold. This dance was most effective, and received lotid applause. The next item was “ Pas de Quatre” by Beryl Gough, Jeannette King, Betty Beadel and Yvonne Hall. Their petalled frocks were of fuchsia shades with a bodice of lame. “Sur Le Pointe,” danced by Cecil Harris, was very popular. Her frock of emerald green and gold was very effective. “The Fairy Gallop,” by the younger pupils, all dressed alike in white ballet frocks touched with silver, was successful in every way. Jessie Dickson appeared several times, and was at her best in “ Pas Seul,” in which she wore a striking black costume. This dancer is always popular, and her work, which was always good, lias improved considerably. In the “ Love Duo ” Jeanette King wore a frilled Victorian frock of flame taffetas with bonnet to match, and Beryl King wore black and white. Kathleen Mathews, another popular dancer, was seen at her best in the “ Hungarian Gipsy Dance.” Her work was finished, and her costume was attractive.

“ Sweet Flowers ” was given by Joan Meikle, whose attractive frock was of cyclamen georgette w’ith lace frills. The next item, by Rita Wilkinson, “ Dance of the Scimitar,” was very well done, and was most effective. The Chinese Ballet, always a popular number. was successfully done by the intermediate pupils. Jane Kinsey’s Spanish dance proved one of the most attractive numbers on the programme. Her dancing was good, and her costume and colouring were well carried out. Marjorie Chambers in an operatic solo wore a distinctive frock of flame tulle and lame. The Polish dance by B. Beadel, M. Beadel, J. Beadel, N. Best and B. Gale was very popular, the tiny soloist. June Beadel, receiving prolonged and well-deserved applause. In the “ Dance Fantastic,” Elsa Whitta wore a frock of frilled tulle and net in deep cornflower blue. Her dancing was excellent. “ A Little Waltz Ballet,” written by 11. Dickson, was prettily done by eight of the smaller girls, who wore ballet frocks of blue i and pink tulle. The hunting dance was another popular number, and was excellently done by Joan Hughes. Billie and Bay Hughes, as two minute Pierrots, were, perhaps, the happiest matched pair of the evening. The “Faust Ballet” covered a wide variety of works of grace and elegance. The second half of the programme was a ballet in mime, “ The Love of May Bell” (P. Lacome and F. Von Suppe). 'This work by both junior and senior pupils was artistically done, the soloists showing a true understanding of their work.

The dancers all received bouquets and chocolates, and before the interval Miss Margery Myers was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flame and gold flowers.