DANCE RECITAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2908, 21 October 1916, Page 6

DANCE RECITAL

"PETER PAN "BALLET AND SOME NOVELTIES

Miss Estelle Beero may always be rolled upon to securo something novel, entertaining, and visually interesting when her pupils appear before the public. This season siio lias at icr disposal'quite a little army of clover children, more or less advanced in the dainty art of dancing, and for' the display of those graces which it is her business to inculcate she managed to provido some very charming settaigs, on a scale not very often seen in Wellington in connection with such enter-' tainnionts, and despite the heavy .rain •which set in early in the evening the Grand Opera House was crowded with a highly sympathetic audience, and there is no valid reason why that should not bo so this afternoon and evening. The entertainment is a good ono to lovers of children, and the object is a worthy one, viz., to supplement Lady Liverpool's- Fund'and that concerned with Blue -Cross work (veterinary branch). The programme was perhaps rather long, but that little fault could be simply remedied by a curtailment here and there, and a little acceleration in stage management. The first part of the programme was "Wild Flowers," described as a. phantasy, in Which bevies of pretty little tots pranccd : round ever so swcotly as corn, poppies, daisies, butterflies, and forget-me-nots in a glowing hayneld. An outstanding fcaturo of this pastoral interlude was the excellent taste in colour and design expended ou the dresses. The tiny buds of humanity appeared to enjoy the experience immensely, and sailed round on their toe-tips with a facility that tickled tho adult audience into bursts of applause. Solos were * danced by Marjorio Wiggs (Dragon-fly), Rita M'Geo (Daisy), Kathleen O'Brien (Golden Corn), and Cara Chapman (Poppy), who woro given a lively ensemble backing, and provided a tableau at the end.

Tho piece do resistance was the "Poter Pan" ballet, adroitly arranged by Miss Beere on the foundation of Sir James Barrie'j delightful fairy play, which seeks so charmingly to wean children from tho gross and matorial tendency of the age back to the tenderly sentimental land of story-books. There in a shadowy forest danced the Indians round the beauteous Tiger Lily (Thurza Rogers). There, too, were the Lost Boys, not oaring a rap for the Redskins (whom they know vory well are just girls dressed up). From the clouds floats that elusive little grey elf Tinker Bell, with her light Burning ever so brightly (for they all' believe in fairies), and after she has danced ' herself breathless came floating down Poter Pan himself, a bold, brown scamp, and with him came Wendy John, and Michael. Wendy's old trouble arises übout having no place in which to house all the boys, so one ie, built there and then (not in the trees on this occasion), and much purtnrbation was caused through fixing one of tho sides wrong-side up. At last it is built, however, when the bloodthirsty Captain Hook and his pirate crew arrive, and seize on Peter and' Wendy,' whose piercing shrieks for- help bring on the Lost Boys, who slay the pirates with their wooden swords, and all ends happily. Of course, most of this is done to dance measures and an occasional chorus, but it is all.very sweet and Barrie-like ,iii sentiment, and was quite successfully performed. Hazel Fanille swaggered bravely as Peter Pan, Irene Marsh was a motherly little Wendy, and Tim O'Carroll was a fearful apparition as Captain Hook. Wee Joan Beero mado Tinker Bell a dainty' fire-fly, and Juliet Williams and Edna Odlin were John and Michael respectively.

Among a maze of other dances performed during the evening were a pas do deux by'handsome Thurza. Rogers, and that active youth Tim O'Carroll, both of whom looked quite grown-ups among so many small fry. Miss Rogers also danced solos.' Little Molly Madden is the best Irish jig dancer Miss Beere has coached, and Betty Menard's dance was illuminated. by the spirit of joy that could be felt. Zelda Bailey gave a clever imitation of Halina Schmoltz in "The Dying Swan" (to Saint-Saens music); a comic interlude was provided by a sextette of cake-walkers and'ragtime specialists on a diminutive 6cale. There was a moonlight dance by Gyneth Kirk and Ronald Criehton: a Mexican dance by Rangi and Rona Winstanlny; a Russian dance by the O'Carrolls; a pierrot duet by Edna Odlin and Olwr de Chateau; a pretty Dutch ballot; and' an ensemble mazurka. Suitable music (to which many of the little ones were entirely oblivious) was 6iwplied by an orchestra under the direction of Mr. J. F. Woodward, with Mrs. Montague at the piano.

The Countess of Liverpool, the Mayor, and Mrs. Luke, were, among those present. A number of youncr ladies sold home-made sweets for the benefit of the fund, and apparently did excellent business. A matinee will be given this afternoon, and the performance will be repeated to-uight.