ANNUAL RECITAL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 939, 8 December 1933, Page 2

ANNUAL RECITAL.

Miss Manhire’s Pupils Give Fine Performance.

A performance of outstanding merit was given by the pupils of Miss Dorothy Manhire at their annual dance recital in the Radiant Hall last evening. The hall was filled to its seating capacity. and the audience showed its appreciation of the splendid exhibition in no uncertain manner, but owing to the length of the programme it was impossible to give any encores. A feature of the recital was its variety, made possible by the versatility of the pupils, of which Miss Manhire had taken full advantage. Ballet dancing in movements of the Grecian, Russian, Spanish ami Old English, intricate toe tap work in serious and humorous vein, splendid acrobatic numbers and character stories in dance, with a cabaret scene as a finale, gave full scope to the pupils, and their performance reflected credit of high order upon their instructress. Dainty frocking, in which the blending of colours was a pleasing feature, together with some elaborate stage effects and no small measure of originality in the ensemble, contributed still further to the success of the programme. Outstanding items included an acrobatic ballet, trained by Miss Marjorie Austin, who herself gave a marvellous display of acrobatic dancing. A tap duo by June Shepherd' and Doug, Shepherd, in ap unusual combination, was particularly good, their perfect timing of the intricate steps and pleasing stage appearance winning prolonged applause. In lighter vein they also made a “hit” in a burlesque of two tired tourists with "ten miles to go.” Audrey M'Nish interpreted two operatic ballet numbers with delightful grace and ease of movement, striking frocks of black and red in Spanish style, offset by enormous scarlet fans, were worn by Iris Manhire and Marjorie Austin in a delightful duo, which they performed with perfect finish. A song, “ Gipsy Moon,” was pleasingly sung and interpreted in dance by Freda Manhire. Mrs Madge Brown, who accompanied the above number on the piano, also sang and played for the dance scena. in which Freda Manhire and Norma Smith gave a delightful and graceful interpretation of the theme. The well-known song “ Trees ” was sung in a pleasing manner by Mr J. Oolligan as a prelude to a refreshing hallet given by the senior pupils. A character story dance, performed by Norma Smith with graceful abandon to the Russian tempo, was delightful. The water lily ballet, though not a new theme, was presented in a delightful setting against a large fountain playing most realistic looking water.

Great interest was shown in the performances of the “ babies ” in ballets, duos and solos, their lack of selfconsciousness and appreciation of ■time” being noticeable. A pleasing item in the cabaret scene was an exhibition waltz by Iris Manhire and Mr Thiele. Music was supplied under the capable direction of Miss Agnes Shearsby, and contributed largely to the success of the performance.