MISS GRACE PALOTTA.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1994, 27 February 1914, Page 2

MISS GRACE PALOTTA.

A TALK ON SUNDRY THINGS. Once again Wellington is being visited by that charming Viennese- actress, Miss Grace Palotta, who is always welcomed by a large circle <>£ personal friends as well -as- by the public generally. Since Miss Palotta was last hero sh© has transferred lief allegiance from the-.William-son to tho Willoughby management, and appears to be quite happy in her licw environjjient.

"I ■have come back a-s a boy this time," she said in'the course of a. chat iviil?. an interviewer. "It's almost embarrassing to meet all my/i'tends'in Now Zealand in sueh a guise. They have only known vw in falt-frocked parts. It is like going back to the old Gaiety clays under George Edwardes, tint, in tiro strictest secrecy, I' rather like it. Of oou'rso everyone .in Sydney'was surprised when 1 joined the Wiltaughby Company, hut t-ltey rolled lip and «avo ftc a lovely reception at the Adelphi." Miss Palotta went on to say that the Williamson engagement terminated after tho'tear of the Royal Comic Opera, Company, and sits joined the _ Wiikmghby : 'inanageiacnt for the pantomime. Some years ago slio had played under Mr. 'ffillougii.hy when he was 'in partnership with Mr. Ward, and she found it very pleasant to bo associated with him onco more, It was also very pleasant to think that the- first Wilioughby pantomime had beca a great siiceess \& the fa-ce of strong opposition, and had been fanning merrily in Svdney -onsr siaco Boxing Night." '.•''.■ I iiotie& that you are gdwg'.to dancfi tiro much-discussed tahga, said'her iutwviewer.

"The-tango? Oh, yes; 1 '" saiej Miss Palotta- with a langh. "isn't it stupid, all this talk about a jnlly dance like the tango, Why, it's lovely, and tow these strange people gat it into their -headi that it was—woTl, not quit* proper, I ean't ifflnghw. i suppose ■ thero aro tangos and tangos, jnsfc.tho Kame as there utight he waltzes and wialtees "-or polfcas and polkas, but to siiiglo out this ancient dance and brand it as. grossly indecent is too 'ridiculous. If it were so, it would liaro been banned years ago # in. every tliea-fae-H/he. public arc quick enough to detect attythka likely to of* fei-id' the decencies, and they would not stand the tango for two ininntes if it were the dreadful thing some have said it was—principally those who know least about it. '.

"Did you see Unit the story about tho Pdpa having issued a decree against the dancing of the tango was all stuff and ■nonsense?" continued Miss Palotta. "I betievo those tilings aro done sn that it acts as a kind of advertisefijent for the theatres where the tango is danced."

The interview*?, being interested in the tango, like everj'oiw else, bad s«m and read lire fable.

"WfUj y<H; will see," replied Miss Faletta. with emphasis. "We do ; it at the- tango teas, then everyone _ frill bo able to draw their own conoiiision'S."

From the tango the conversation Wandered on .to the subject of .travelling;. Do you. like.touring in New. Zealand? she was asked. ■

. "No, I love ill It is such a. relief to got away From the heat of Sydiiey and to take in big gulps of your cool invigorating air. 1 am passionately "fofid of ■Walking, 'and thefts is nowhere that T. . enjoy it mere than in this I always enjoy good health, but reaching Now Zealand after, the rather depressing', .'beat' of Australia, in .Jarttiaft-.jud . February t eovild.' jump .out of niy "skin. I. think 'there' little doubt but that New ZtalnndUvill b&paii.* tho sanatorium of^Ajistridia, and 'tj'iat,tiro more Australia, grows; : flie more it'wsM.bci'iofitthis country. : Trebps. of my Australian friercis came over now"''in the: summer •months,' but" later. When' the journey is •shortened by putting .on larger' and swifter boats New Zealand will freemne the holiday ground for tired Australians, , '■'I. wa3 so glad to litK.l ray dear friend Mdlte, Dolores was.'m Wellington. Th<j first iliin* put into my hand was a telegram from her, I admire her art im.mensciy, and I tost heard iter m& in Vienna"; Obi they are' a cold, critical' audience*' there, and -it was'jtist. dolightfml .to see them- unbend under the sunshine, of her singing and of iier wonderful personality.