Last Night’s Dance.

Manawatu Herald, 11 October 1902, Page 3

Last Night’s Dance.

According to -arrangements the dance at the Publio Hall last night, organised by Mrs W. Cook, wna held. The result can be summarised as a great success. Everyone, from the little person to the more aged, folks, enjoyed themselves immensely. The Hall was decorated with flags, greenery, and Chinese lanterns. Ihe walls also were draped, covering the terrible bareness which is generally so prominent. The music was supplied by Miss L. Cook (piano) and Mr J. Mullins (violin), and their playing gave every satisfaction, the time being very good. Mrs COok, assisted by the ladies, supplied an excellent supper, comprising both substantial and toothsome pities, which were very much enjoyed/ The hall was crowded both when the children were dancing and alsd whan the adults obtained the floor, many wisely waiting until their turn came to take their chance. The children commenced at seven o’clock, all being arrayed in fancy dress, numbering nearly one hundred. The first item was the grand march when the scene was a very pretty one, as they broke into figures forming fours, eights, squares, &o. After this the children engaged in round dances during their term of occupation, except when the following special dances were performed. The Irish Jig was danced by four young ladies, the Misses Elsie Cook, May Laing, Adeline Collins, and Morea Alidorf. This dance was very captivating and was performed again in response to an undeniable encore, and once again during the time the adults bad the floor, by special request. These young people were dressed in character, as Irish washerwomen and their sweethearts. , The hall was a very pretty scene at this point as the Chines lanterns runnine across tb® hall, aod there being plenty of light, the gay and picturesque dresses were shown to a great advantage. ; The next special dance was the Polish Jig, by twelve small girls, being the Misses D. and L. Laing, F. and H. Cook, P. and E. Hughes, E. and E. Reeves, K. Spelman, E. Webb, A. and E. Symons. They were dressed in red, white and Woe, with tarbaunnea trimmed with same coloured ribbons, and during the dance the interlacing ot the colours, whilst coloured fire was thrown, on the performers, had an excellent effect. Two young ladies dressed in sailor costumes, with blue collars, (the Misses A. Collins and M. Laing) danced a hornpipe with grace and vigour, and were loudly applaudedThe Minuet followed next when the n. Misses Laings, Cooks, Rea ,l® s » Spelman and Symons took part. The performers were dressed afresh in pure white and long skirts. The graceful way in which the performers went through their different movements was a revelation to the audience. The last special dance was the gem of the evening, being a Gavotte, danced by the same little ones who were in previous dance. This dance is one so very little seen that a description might be of service. There were eight figures, danced to slow time, and the first seen of the performers was when they entered the front doors, thrown open by young ladies, dressed in Empire costume of white, with gold sashes. The children “fluttered” to within a few yards of the stage where they posoddbi effective attitudes and re* mai*Jp|o, whilst coloured fires were thrown on the group. During the dance various evolutions were performed which necessitated many movements of the arms and skirts. The dance ended in a different pose to that at the commencement. At the end, the whole having been carried out so systematically and gracefully the audience insisted upon an encore. This dance afforded the adults aa opportunisy of seeing how excellently the children have been trained, and the performers were a great credit to themselves, and Mrs Cook their instnwtWM*

The children then bad supper, and concluded their portion of the evening’s entertainment by a grand march similar to the opening one, and at the end marched two by two up the steps, at which two girls distributed bonbons and gifts from Mrs Cook to each little person. Following are some of the fancy drosses worn by the children Elsie Reeve, 80-Peep; E. Reeve and M. King, Little Red Hiding Hood; L. Edwards and Elsie Cook, Empire costumes; N. Arbon, Rosalind; M- Alzdorf, Twilight; E. Webb, Sailor; AJenks, Forget-mn not; H. Barber, Soubrette; R. Nye, Daffodil; E. King, Lilac; E. Nye, Primrose; J. Coley, Poppy; M. Hickson, Shepherdess; M, King, Swiss Peasant. Boys~A. Imrie. Turk; B. Shadbolt, Spanish Cavalier; F, Jenks, Nigger; F. Collins, Highwayman; Elsley Cook, Man-o-War’s-man; Weston Barber, Cook; D. Laing, Highland Laddie; P. Wright, Jockey; G. Collins, Sailor Boy. The ‘extras’ for the evening Were nicely played by Mrs J. Symons and Miss Imrie, and Mr T. Nye fulfilled the duties of M.C, while Mr R. Noonan had charge of the coloured lights which were so. effectively used in the dances of the children.

Visitors attended from Levin, Shannon, Palmerston, Kereru, Wellington, and adjacent places, which added considerably to the number of dancers.