WOMAN'S WORLD

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2559, 6 September 1915, Page 3

WOMAN'S WORLD

(Continued from Page 2) , A DANCE RECITAL MISS POLLY M'LAREN. Lovers of dancing must have thoroughly enjoyed the dance recital which was given on Saturday evening in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall by Miss Polly M'Laren, who in Scotland is known as a champion of Highland dancing. Saturday's performance, howevor, showed her as a most versatile little, dancer, equally and graceful in everytiung ; she did, whether it was classical or national danciug. If any part of her performances called for more appreciation than any other it'would be 'her step-dances, such as the "Sheau Truibus," . with - which she opened her programme, and the Irish jig, 'which were delightful to see. Among other solo dances was a dainty Dresden-china "Pas de Fascination," followed by a quaintly charming characterisation of early Victorian days, "Once upon a time," danced with alluringly demure coquetry. Most certainly if girls of those days danced as Miss M'Laren did they were the mistresses of- much- .subtle expressiveness and charm. The,, wide, . frilly, crinolined skirt was' managed with much grace, as the light little figure tripped around the stage. "Le Pappilion,'' "The God of Love," and-"The Swan" expressed ! Miss M'Laren in other moods, the latter dance being by now well known in Wellington. With Mr. O'Carroll, Miss Jl'Laren danced a "Russian' Mazurka," and later a "Polka Fantasia," com-, pletely contrasting performances, and both equally attractive in the different appeals they "made to the onlookers. Miv O'Carroll- is a . promising young dancer,- very light and lithe, - und liis performance .of the. "Gipsy Beggar" 1 was distinctly- good, while his i appearance in Sicilian peasant dress was vividly picturesque. ! Another performance was a- "Russian ■ Valse Caprice," which called for much agility and quickness'of movement. , Mr. -Frank Johnstono ■ assisted with' the programme, by contributing a 'cello solo; "Meditation from Thais", (Massenet), •' aiid - -mother a ' 'Scherzo'', (Van Geens), . both' of which- : were insistently, encored : by the appreciative Another assisting artist was Mrs. Woodward, who sang !'Bio Swallow" (Dal Aqua) and "April Morn" ■ (Batten), both artistic-performances beyond a doubt. Miss Janie Petrie contributed; recitations, which were rather ; too-much given to pa,inting ,_the tragedies of war-r-a subject that'only too vividly in everyone's 1 mind''just 'now. It,is unnecessary.to state that practically the/ whole of : the programme was encored by an "Oliver Twist" 'audience. . lie green curtains : with. .Which the: stage was completely draped;formed' an excellent background for- tbo dances of MissvPolly -M'Laren' and Mr. O'Carroll, •.'and 'especially • for. the.■ pretty'. .frocks wiicli' the .former' wore,. and which', she changed'into with such maryellous 'ra--pidity/,, Mr. ' Frank Johnstone was her. ;assistant-in-chi6f, and/the accompanists of the eveningwere Mrs. Montague and' .Mrs. Frank Johnstono. , : v, ~ .'Among, those, who were ; present at :tho recital were the Hon/James Allen, Minister of Defence, . Viscountess Keliburn, and' the Mayor and Mayoress. ': The "heroic-ited Cross nurses," who were represented by some siSteen memters of the St. Jolin. Ambulance Nursing Brigade,' had a- busy ■ time'-at, the base hospital at. Newtown Park on iSaturday 'afternoon at the grand as-ifiaultrat-arms. -In; such, sanguinary 'en-, 'counters as thoso that occurred between the opposing forces the casua-1- ,' ties were numerous, and their, wounds varied,' and somotimcs puzzling to deal' .'with.- . Hie base hospital was a 'very' 'unpretentious affair, - tucked 1 away in a .'corner of the, battlefield, but as it happened most, of the ,' casualties, were treated in the open,A when word..'was given after the grand assault, was pver ; to ' attend to, the - wounded.' In the evening, however, a truly genuine case was brought ! under, tlio-nurses- care,, one of the soldiers having been so un-, fortunate as to'meet with a blank cartridge fired, straight into his face. Fortunately his eyes: escaped . injury.' ' !Mr. Norrie - Sell, the, professional golf ■coach from .Wellington, is staying' witlv |Mr. -and Mrs. -P. A. D. Mickle, the. schoolhonse, Hamua-.