DANCE RECITAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10615, 14 June 1920, Page 3

DANCE RECITAL

MISS ESTELLE BEEBE’S PUPILS.

AN ENJOYABLE ENTERTAINMENT-

i Miss Estelle'Beer© presented her pupils in a dance recital at the Grand OperaHouse on Saturdav night, when Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool attended and the large auditorium was filled, in every sat by an nthusiastic , audience.' Lady .Liverpool l , who 'wab accompanied by Colonel and Mrs Sleeman, was received by member© of the committee, consisting of Mesdames Massey, Jacob Joseph, de. B. Brandon, Arthur Harcourt, Vivian JRiddiford, and Miss Harcourt. Mrs Herbert was hon. secretary. The programme presented resembled those of former years. There were various dances by eieven children, graceful .ballets, step-dadoes, some speciality turns and for the first time on original dance play arranged by Miss Beeie, entitled "A Daughter of Seville," in which the story as usual was merely a thread on which to string a series of pretty dance "divertissements/ The scenic was Spanish and the stage looked very gay with its groujiings of children in bright coloured costumes, and the incidental dances were designed to correspond. The story concerned Zara (Thelma Aitken), who is in love with a gypsy (D. Donnelly) and tries to dance consent out ,of her crusty parent (Mr /.ante Wood), who, however, prefers the rival Jose (E. CJarridge). Finally ho consents if the gypsy can produce a hundred ducats, which, of course, he does at the end of the play. Other parts were taken by Joan Beere, os Juanita; Here Beckway. as a ribbonseller; Betty Carr, as a fruit vendor; Vhea Vaughan, as a fortune-teller; a.nd Kitty Levy, as Pedro, a small boy partner to Juanita.

A dance of the Fruit Vendors was a pretty interlude, those taking part being Verona Jeffries, Ethel Parti-idge, Hazel and Berj’U Midlane, Dorothy Buck, Olga Gilberd. and Valerie Beere as soloist. The Flower Sellers consisting of Nancy Deere, Bna Pad ford, Mendail Smith, also danced in displaying their wares: then came a Seroniaders’ song and dance by six girls, Ira Wolfgang and Gwen Hopkins singing the solo part very prettily, the chorus consisting of Dorothy Clarridge, Frances Pollock, Mavis Brunette, and Nanoyn Wilson. A spirited cachuca was danced by -the whole of the children, and after a Betrothal dance. It also formed the finale.

The evening’s performance began with a tableau, and dance, “Love’s Awakening," one of those little dance stories of which Miss Boer© has given many to her audiences. Those taking part ’were Daisy Donnelly, Evie Clarridge, Cressoll and Vboa Vaughan, Ida Serle, Gwen Hopkins, Noya iVilson, Joyce Midlane, Thelma Aitken, and Dorothy Clarridge. A Pas de deux was danced by Beryl! Clark and Cecelia Taylor, in pretty frilly dresses. Little Jean Coker danced as a dainty fairy; Jean Gilmer gave a Dance Joyed so in pretty style; Hazel Midlane was brisk and bright in a Military Dance; in the well-known Au-de-Ballet, Grace Ward danced gracefully; Scotia Stewart was dainty in a Pasde Gavotte; Florence Heyworth, always good, showed to advantage in a piissian folk dance, giving some of the difficult Russian steps with wonderful quickness; and Olga de Chateau gave a pretty dance; Dorothy Buck danced a Dutch clog dance well, and Jean Coker and Nell- Bosher were amusing in an Irish jig. Three tiny children, Joyce Nathan, May Cameron, and Phyllis Olliver, each danced a solo, or attempted to, which pleased the audience just as much, and in a daffodil dance,.Gwcneth England was a pretty vellow-clad figure. There followed a "Harlequinade," which formed quite one of the best items of the evening. Gwen Hopkins, as Pierrot, acted particularly well, and Zelda Hailey, ns Harlequin, also entered with zest into the spirit of the play. Joan Beere, as Columbine, danced with ease and grace, and tensed her pair of lovers in approved carnival style, but proved a more tender-hearted lover than, her prototype of pantomime, and made friends with both before the curtain fell.

Tho last part of Xho programme consisted of more "Divcrtisements." A dance of the Pompoms was a pretty number, given by Mary Gilmer, Paula Paulson, Scotia Stewart, Kola Cable, Adare Middleton, and Julie Maris, who gave, a solo. Joan Beere, carrying bal loons, sang “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles,” and danced between the verses. Florence Hey worth gave a pas-de-soul, showing some good toe dancing; Iris [nglesbv was seen in a “Dance Vive”: Mavis King in “Dance Manana”; and Nanoya Wilson did a classic barefoot dance, “A .Toy of Spring.’,’ Joan Bcore was again seen in a sailor’s hornpipe, and danced with vim. Quito the bit of the evening was made by a tiny child, Meg Cimino, who sang about her V.C Daddy. Dressed as a soldier, she so pleased the audience that the rule against encores, strictly enforced, had to bo broken in her case alone. Two other gronp dances were given—a “Ross' Idyll,” by Olga Gilberd » (solo), Ethne Paltridge, Dawn WalUburton Roma Lindnle, Molly Downes. Dorothy Steward. Ethel Barker, Phyllis I.indale, Julie Maris, and Kola Cable. Tho last item was a pretty carnival dance, tho chil dren wearing quaint pierrot and coluro bine dresses, performed -by Betty Carr (soloist). Iris Inglesby, Zelda Bailey, Ira Wolfgang, Mavis King, Thelma Allken, and Crossell Vaughan. The orchestra was under Miss Arcus, the scenery was arranged by Mr McKenna, and limelight hv Mr Donticc. Mr T. Farrell acted as business manager. The final representation will he given at the Grand Opera House this evening, when there should be another crowded house. Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool has signified her intention of being again present.