ART OF DANCING.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20298, 7 May 1934, Page 11

ART OF DANCING.

Few Visitors to Dominion Since Pavlova. “HARSHLY TREATED.” Regret that there were so few opportunities afforded New Zealanders to see exponents of operatic dancing was expressed on Saturday by Miss Jean Miller, Oamaru, who is adjudicating in the operatic, national and ballroom sections at the Competitions. “ There seems to have been a dearth of dancers since Pavlova was here.'* said Miss Millej*. “ The public, as a result, have been starved of something that they would find of real benefit and providing true enjoyment. The art of dancing is being developed to such an unusual extent in England and on the Continent that I feel we are harshly treated in being deprived of the pleasure and education of seeing the famous artists from ‘ the other side.’ “In Germany particularly,” continued Miss Miller, " many new departures are being made from the conventional forms of operatic work. At Mary Wigman’s School there, one finds the art employed in startlingly new ways. The choice of subjects is most unusual. For instance, new creations are based on Rhythm. Monotony and other titles whose intention is to convey the idea more than the actual subject. Very often, the accompaniment to themes such as these is only a drum, while there are certain dances with no accompaniment at all. Modern Dancing. “ Regarding the use made of dancing by the general public, a new trend, apart from the popularity of ballroom dancing, is to be noted in tap-dancing. As a novelty, danced to the regular tempo of jazz music, tap-dancing has almost reached the height of its popularity. To be an outstanding tapdancer, one has to introduce novelties to make the performance worthy of interest. By itself, a so-called rhythmic tapping of the feet has very little to recommend it, but ■with the aid of uncommon movements, such as acrobatic steps or comedy touches, the performance makes a popular appeal. In the interests of true art, however, this is to be deplored, for it tends to kill the grace and expressiveness that should be found in the genuine artist.” Miss Miller has studied under several well-known teachers. She was a pupil of Estelle Beere’s School of Operatic Dancing and later at David Devitt’s school in Wellington, where she conducted classes anc} also taught privately. She is a* keen student of the art. and watches each new development with interest.