DANCE RECITAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 140, 8 March 1919, Page 13

DANCE RECITAL

MISS DOROTHY SAUNDERS'S PUPILS One of the most delightful of children's dance recitals .'which recur annually in , Wellington is that given by the pupils of , Miss Dorothy Saunders, who appears to , liav3 the rare gift of hitting on just the , correct type of danco for each member ] of lier train. She, moreover, exercises . considerable thought in the costumes, j settings, music, and the form of the , dance itself, and tho net result an ( harmonious blend of movement, colour, and sound pleasing to the artistic sonse. Tie recital given in aid of the Fresh Air Fund and Spinsters' Club War Work Fund at the Concert Chamber last evening, was to have taken place in November last, but tho epidemic intervened, and the fixture had to bo postponed indefinitely. Nothing daunted, Miss Saunders set lo work after the holidays, and handled her forces so- dexterously that last evening's performance suffered nothing by the enforced delay. The progamme opened with nine of the pupils in ail exhibition of graceful body and limb movements in unisoij on Russian lilies, and the little girls moved with ease, grace, and refinement. A tiny mite, prinked out in national tints, frisked round prettily in a sailor's hornpipe. This was Jean Bradley, a child with all the fascinating charm of the artless. Then -followed a pretty "Black and White" ballet,. danced by sixteen children. whose movements wero cramped at limes by the limitations of tho stage. Miss Jean Mackenzie executed n clattering Lancashire clog dance, and Misses Nicholas and Breen coquetted attractively in the seasonal phantasy, "Springtime," the latter child being particularly graceful in her movements. Half a dozen sprightly little maids in Slav costume stamped and clapped rhythmically in a Russian folk dance. ""Miss. Clarice Rend, in a diaphanous dross of skilfullyblended tints, ■ moved round in a mazy, rainbow dance, and Miss Clara Nichols essayed a Spanish cachuca, which is essentially an ensemble dance. The two Misses Saunders and Miss M'Lay essayed a nursery dance interlude in "Dolly's Birthday," a story in motion that needed the child mind to thoroughly appreciate. The "Bim Bims" were a couple of blackfoced bogey men from a bad drenm, but Misses JohnsoA and M'Kenzie made them quito amenable to the orchestra's merry t.iirip. Miss Eila Liardet, ns"A Naughty Quaker Girl," showed how it is possible that any demure little maid may desire to fling a free heel when no one is around. Pretty Lola Saunders, with a wealth of real golden hair, executed a waltz measure attractively, and Miss Reni Johnson floated round tho little stag') in a "Bubbles" fancy. The danco of the "Ten Little Maids" was also an item that charmed the heart of every mother present. In their long whiteflounced Empire gowns piped with emerald green, tho tiny girls made a pretty show as they manoeuvred in time to the "Rendezvous" music. "A Fatal Ending" proved to. be a melodramatic episode in which n quaint golliwog and an awfully stiff-legged white doll were concerned. The performers were Miss E. Bradley and Mr. Knowsley. The second half opened with a forest phantasy, "The Children of Gum-tree Land," which was given a very uncommon and exceedingly attractive setting of sun-kissed gum leaves and blossoms, real enough to suggest the .very spirit of eucalyptus. In this interlude tho children sported gaily as leaves, nuts, and blossoms. There was also one big purple spider, bent on' the destruction of everyone, whose evil designs wero frustrated by the animated blossoms. Miss Sinclair Breen was good as the spider,' and Miss Roiua Bitossi fluttered around as a moth of varied hue. Another feature of the programme was Miss Eila Ljardet's "Round the World" dance, in which the Hags of tho Allies were produced from their, different countries on a largo map of the world, and were each given the honour of a dance. Miss R. Johnson and Mr. Knowsley gave a coster dance in the costumes of Hampstead Jleath on a bank holiday. In "Moonlight Revels" there was a gay "Pyjania Ballet," Miss Helen Saunders appearing unto the dancers as "the dusky dustman," and Miss Betty Saunders came naturally as "the dream." Other dances presented were the "White Mazurka," a Dutch sabot dance, "Mon- | key on a Stick," "Secrets," "Charuieuse" ;ind the "Mazurka Eoliemie." The stage ' was artistically set all through, and Mr. . Frank Wolfgang's orchestra supplied ! excellent music in good style.