LA JOSELITO

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 October 1948, Page 6

LA JOSELITO

AN EXQUISITE DANCER IBv H.C.J.) La Joselito, the Spanish dancer, broke new grounu in entertainment insofar as new zeaiana is cone-emeu by presenting tne aances oi spam, ine programme comprised autnentiu aances, not concoctions oi HonywuuM or luondon. mere was a restraint aoout tne dances as periorpied oy this uancer whicn inarxea it ror nign art. never an extreme gesture, never a grotesque posture. r_.acn dance was a unique presentation, wnetner it he a uance oi a iauy witn castenets, with a swaying shawl, imitating a norseman, interpreting a trageay after a latai reading of the cards, or again as a coquette ogling a signtseer or a Spanish interpretation or the theme oi will Ye ino come Back Agen. Each dance, too, brought forth the performer in a new and intriguing costume, while mood was interpreted by bodily movement ana facial expression. io La Joselito went the palm fast night. But it was riercedes Bebia who carried the weight of the programme and this under very grave difficulties, ine stage setting was wonderfully well contrived by the use of simple effects, but it did emphasise the emptiness oi che stage when the dancer was not occupying it. The upright piano stood lonely upon the boards and was a most unbecoming instrument for s.ucn a delightful pianist. She who provided excellent music, seemed to be lilling-in while changes of dress were being effected, and her task seemed to be to keep the audience from being bored with acres of emptiness. It was to Mercedes Bebia that the heart of the audience went out last evening. They were intrigued with her playing, her sureness and subtlety of touch, > her control and her colourful interpretations. And there is something in her personality too that despite the black dress and mantilla and her conduct gets across to the audience and calls to its understanding and gets a sure response. Why was not a grand piano provided? Juan Mercedes with his guitar was interesting and made a welcome contribution to the programme, but was inadequate to balance up the presentation. A violinist would have been a godsend, and a singer was a necessity. The programme required at least two more strong contributors thereto and they would not have dimmed the delight La Joselito provided, no matte? how good they were. Modern entertainment demands that there should be no wasted moments between the numbers, it demands change within the programme as well as within presented by individual artists. These requirements should not. be ignored by entrepreneurs, because, when they are, it makes I it difficult for a good artist to capture j and hold even a sympathetic audience. I Further, it □prejudices future enter- [ tainment in tfhe flesh and blood comI panies. Such a result is to be deplored on more than one ground. In any case it is bad business. La Joselito, with proper support could have gone through New with packed houses. Why this support is not forthcoming is somebody’s business.