MISS SAUNDERS'S DANCE RECITAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 31, 31 October 1919, Page 4

MISS SAUNDERS'S DANCE RECITAL

Dancing is one of the arts that makes an irresistible appeal to people, especially ii i,-.'i-iii;-.uiji-s* are' children and that being the case, it was not surprising tnat tho attendance at tho recital given in the Concert' Chamber of tho Town Hall last-evening by the pupils of Miss Durothv Saunders was very largo —too Large for the accommodation. The audience was on invited one, and as far as possible tho items were presented as they were taught in Miss Sauuders's school of dancing, with the addition of a specially-arranged stage and the wearing of very pretty frocks. Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool .attend-, ed. and was presen.ed with a very charming bouquet. The programme opened with an Italian ballet, tho children taking lxirt wearing the, picturesque peasant dress and dancing witn much spirit, the use of the tambourine being very effective. The soloist was Miss Mamie White, and the Misses S. Breen and.L.Saunders acted the part of beggars, little Miss Jean Bradley as flower girl throwins treasure trove in the way of flowers at tho performers at the end of the dance. A "Coppclia Waltz" was danced bv Miss Thelma M'Kenzie, who was pret-. tilv frocked for the occasion, 'and-Miss Roma Bitossi did a clever clog dance* Suppleness and agility wero slynrn in :tho next dance. "A more-pork and 6vo cubs," nuaint and original in character, tho dancers. garbed in brown, being the Misses Johnson. Bradley, and Breen. As a daintv little Chinese lady Miss ■Elsio Brown ' danced to appropriate music, her danco being followed by _ a "rolka fantasquo," danced by Miss Greening. In "Teasing" wero 6een some ' charming poses :and actions, the performers being three small children, the Misses Bradley, Hay, and M'Lay. "Ocean AVavcs" was, as its name implies, suggestive of the sen, and was taken part in by a number of children dressed in short frocks, of blues and greens, ' with white Grapery suggestive of foum. Tho soloists were Miss Elsie Bradley (the' Mist Maid), and Miss Clara Nichols (Soashells). Tho fringe of children who formed part of tho background to the soloists as they danced was particularly effective, in colour and arrangement. ' Miss Kathleen White danced as a "Merrvninkor," and an old-fashioned innasu.ro was danced by Misses. J. and T. M'Kenzie. reminiscent of tho "good days of old." . A ..picturesque Russian danco was given by. Miss Greening, and in "The Stolen Princess," which followed, Boma pretty ballets wero danced, an uncommon one being the ; Egyptian ballet with tho characteristic angular poses and movements which have an extraordinary attraction about them." "Fairies at play" gave an opportunity for tho verv littlo ones to havo their "turn," and verv attractive they looked in their gauzy dresses-and wings.: A tiny soloist was little Molly Gledhill, whose "turn" was very brief.-- A snow ballot was danced by,. Miss- Fanny Hyman; "Daisies" by. Miss Jean M'Kenzie, and a romantic dance, "In the Hall ~of tho Mountain King," by Miss , Sinclair Breen. Quaint and charming was the Dutch danco by Misses E. Odlin and.E. Griffiths (in costume), and Mr. J. I;jiowslov, gave a snake dance. . A "folly dance" was given by Miss Jean. M'Lay, and • "ribbons" by Miss , Reni Johnson. "Two Bootblacks," by the Missos B. and H. Saunders.. was a delightful performance, and a Spanish dance by Miss Thelma M!Kenzio was another perform■anco that was-much enjoyed. Another ballet was tho "Rose and tho Bees," with Miss Sinclair Breen as soloist, some pretty philandering on tho pnrt of tho bees.taking place, Miss Clarice Read gave a solo danco, "In tho Sun," and a very pretty Pierrot ballet, tho concluding item, followed. Miss Jean M'Kcnzio being- the Pierrette, Mr. J. Knowsloy the Pierrot, and tho following also. taking part: Misses J. M'Cormick, E. Gill, li, Hobson. D. .Murphy, J. and N. Nicholls, M. Odlin. P. Calwell, M. Davidson, D. Potter.' ■D, Underwood', B. Stitehbury, J. Fairchild. If. Semeloff, L. Harris, E. Griffiths. F. M'Grath; J. M'Lay,'L. and F. Hvman. M. and If. White, J. and E. Bradley, G. Hey, C. Nichols, L. Saunders. T. M'Konzio, R-. Bitossi,, C. Read, E. Brown. The musical. director was Mr. Wolfgang, who, also coihpb'sed tho music for the dances "Teasing" and "Ocean Waves," also for the Pierrot ballet. The stage director was Mr, H. Li,\rdfit. Alost of the dancing was performed' bv barefooted girls,'and the flowing movements and untrammelled freedom of bodv that is usually associated with Russian dancing was very noticcablo about somo of last night's performances.

A Shakespearean Evening, Tho nerformanco of "The Merchant.of Venioe" in the College Hall, Queen Marcaret College, last evening by senior students attracted a largo gathering of narents and friends. For sorao time tho eirls had been preparing for tho event, under the direction of the lady principal, Miss Jobson, and naturally a great deal of interest had been aroused both inside tho college and out. The performance was a highly creditable one, and showed much ability on the part of the sirls, notably on that of Misa Jean Broome, who took the part of Antnnio tho merchant o£ Venice. Miss Hazel Davies as Bassanio, Miss Eleanora Geere-Watson as Gratiano, Miss Doreen Kerslev as Portia, Miss Isabel Smith, who showed a very good- understanding of tho part of Shylock, and entered thoroushlv into the story of the play, Mies Josephine Bailey as Launcelot Gobo, and Miss Jessie Alexander as tho Duke of Venice, who showed a nice appreciation of tho dignity of the 'part. Her dress was also very well carried out/, and added to tho-general impressiveness of the character. The part of Salarino, the friend of Antonio, was taken by Miss Nancy Wilson, Balanio by Miss Marjorie Townsond. Norissa by-Miss Iria M'Fadzean.- Old Gobo by Miss Kathleen Smith, mid Balthasar Leonardo by Miss Olive Muut. Jessica by Miss Joyco Humphries, the Prince of Morocco by Miss Lottie Clift Salerio by Mis* Eileen-Naismith, and the Clerk by Miss Edna Gilbert. Tho incidental music was supplied by Miss Kennedy, and songs were sung dnrintr the course of the play by Miss Fyfe and Miss Evans, and also by the students, the latter singing "Toll Me Where is Fancy Bred'.' and "There is a Bower Within'a Wood." Altogether, the nerfnrmance was an interesting one, and met-with much appreciation on tho' part of the audience.