RUSSIAN BALLET

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 23, 27 January 1934, Page 6

RUSSIAN BALLET

LADY OF THE KREMLIN

Tradition in Russia dies hard.

In Imperial days it was tho custom for Russia's rulers—grand dukes and generals—to court tho beautiful dancers of the ballet (states a correspondent).

There are- no grand dukes left in Russia, and only one ruler—Stalin— but the pretty ballet dancers havo remained. One of the most beautiful and talented of them is Smirnova, of tho Moscow Ballet Theatre.

She is not only a good dancer, she is a Communist and a citizen too. Though sho is a clover artist, she has never left Russia. Stalin's excursions from, the Kremlin aro extremely rare. His three luxurious motor-cars, with Ogpu guardsmen on the running-boards to shield him from attack, aro seldom, seen.

Lately, however, tho three cars have been observed standing outside the Ballet.Theatre/ whilo Stalin and his •entourage -occupied tho " former royal box, like a grand ducal party of twenty j^cars ago. ... ,„, ~. .. , ' Fifteen "controls" guard Stalin in tho Kremlin. Few visitors have penetrated beyond the first. But Smirnova- possesses a "No. 1" pass permitting her to enter the Kremlin at will.

It is reported that she intends to resign from tho ballet and that there is to be a marriage in high quarters and a second Lady of the Kremlin, not so mysterious 'or silent as that strange and lonely figure, Stalin's first wife, who died in sad circumstances more than a year ago.