DANCE RECITAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 1 December 1917, Page 4

DANCE RECITAL.

The Town Hall was crowded last night on the occasion. of the dance recital by Miss Kathleen Blomfield and her pupils. The exposition of dancing reached a high level, and, considering Miss Blomfield's short period of residence here, speaks volumes for her ability as a teacher, and the patient and painstaking care in the teaching of her pupils, her control of the little! ones being very noticeable. As far as the entertainment last night, is concerned it was most successful and enjoyable. There is ' always something very charming in the artless and unstudied efforts o 5 cnildren; there is ho posing for effect and "playing j to the gallery" with juveniles, and I even the trivial mistakes sometimes, ( made by them are so natural that it adds to their charm. The young people ! last night were in great force, the ! whole Of the items on the programme, with the exception of two; being con- ! tributed by them. The audience showed their appreciation of the different items, recalls and tributes (floral and confectionery) were much in evidence. The dresses worn by the various dancers were in excellent taste, and chosen with an artistie eye to colour effects while the coloured light effects added j to the beauty of the different scenes. The -programme opened with a scene entitled ''Seaside Frolies," by Misses D. Bray, P. Currie, M. Eice, P. and D, Bagley, M, Shanley, G. Hebberd and L. Siddle, who were all dressed in conventional bathing costumes. This was a very pretty and effective scene. "Les Sylphides" was admirably danced by Misses L. Hurbert, P. Bagley, P. Campbell, and M. Timbs, the rhythm and time being excellent. We 'are not very clear what a "Kewpie" is, but the item "Kewpies' Re- , vels'' was an undeniably effective one Miss N. Rice, E. McAucliffe, L. Somcrville, M. O'Brien, and Baby Edlin being the Kcwpies, while Cupid, with his archery, was played by Miss N. Kirkpatrick. Master Gordon McCombie danced the Highland Fling in a most finished manner, his heel and toe work being very fine. A quaint little scene was ■ "Market Day," played by Misses Patty and Kitty Bagley, as girl and boy respectively. The former is a natural dancer, and should be heard of later on. A little mite, Baby Edlin, contributed an item called "Lun de Bal," her dancing being remarkable' for one so young. "Sons of the" Sea," by Misses D. Parker, L. Herbert, E. Gardner, G. and T. Edlin, and Masters H. and C. Crawford, E Green, C. Blomfield, B. Somcrville, H. Saunders, H. Pitt, and J. Grossman, was a very taking tableau, and the Sailors' Hornpipe was particularly good. "The Shepherd Dance" was a charming little pastoral interlude, admirably pourtrayed by V. Beban (shepherd)), P. and K. Bagley, L. Siddle, and E. Healey (dancers)), while Miss K. Williams made a pretty little shepherdess. Miss Iris Evans, dressed as a vivandiere, with the Union Jack in full display, danced her way into the favour of the audience as "The Daughter of the Regiment. Little Jean McLennan, ' dressed in the orthodox costume of a ballet dancer, contributed a "Valse Lento" in a very finished manner. One of the most whimsical items of the evening was the 'Polka Comique,' by Misses D. and M. Parker. Dressed in old JEnglijsh costumes (lady and gentleman) the effect was quaint, the lady, with her crinoline and "etceteras" being very good. "The Dance of Fire" by Miss Evelyn Healey was well rendered as was "Chamuse" by Miss V. Beban. Miss W. Blomfield's appearance was the signal for rounds of applause, her interpretation of the "Dying Swan" being a perfect bit of work. She was recalled. Perhaps one of the most humorous pieces of the evening was "Jumping Jacks," by Misses D. Bagley, M. Rice, D. Bray, M. Smith, M, Shanley, and P, Currie. Dressed in orange costumes with black stripes, the movements of the dancers were grotesque and very funny. The second part opened with a tableau entitled "An Egyptian Slave Dance," the slaves being G. Edlin, M. Parker, K Neagle, L. Herbert, and E. Gardner; the "Dance of the Veil" being rendered by Miss A. and J. Bremner; and Miss Blomfield took the part of Suhurah (a captive.) The (ensemble effect of the scene was remarkably good, and the dancing was a long way above the average. Baby Edlin made a lovely little "Golden Butterfly," while Miss P. Askew danced "Espagonell" very gracefully. "Merry Dutch Folk" brought out Masters Toswell, P. Rogers C. Blomfield, B. Timbs, and D. Somervillc and Misses L. Hurbert, M. Timbs, P. Campbell, and J. McLennan. This was one of the gems of the evening, the quaint Dutch dresses of the boys and girls giving the correct national colour, which was further enhanced by the dancing of the Dutch clog dance Patty Bagley again showed what a clever little dancer she is in the "Poppy Dance." An excellent concerted number was "In the Forest Glade," the wood mymphs being Misses D. Bray, D. Bagley, M. Shanley, P. Currie, M. Rice, and V, Treadwell,

and Miss K, Williams, impersonated Diana the Huntress. "The Prairie Galop" was introduced to Taihape by Miss M. Smith and Mr. EdTTn, and "> Miss Blomfield and Mr. McDonell as partners. This item wjjs .given with an abandon and rhythm that were admirable. Master Gordon danced very gracefully and with perfect step a "Shean Trubhis" and in response to an imperative encore 'contributed a Highland Sword Dance, which in our opinion was his best item. The "Spanish Dance" by Misseg V. Beban and Shannon was a very acceptable number, as also was a "Gavotte Pompadour" by Misses V. Treads and A. Dean. "The Dream," by Missj Bray and Mr. A. Scorgie was a pretty little tableau. Miss K. Williams and] P. Bagley, danced in perfect unisorf the Cozac Dance." "The International Rag," by Miss Blomfield and Mr. Edi lin, was rendered in first class style, and brought the recital to a conclusion.

Mr. W. Nicholls, on behalf of the Returned Soldiers Association and the Catholic Bazaar Committee made Miss Blomfield a presentation of a casket of confectionery, and in doing so, said all must admit that considers ing the short time Miss Blomfield had been amongst us she had accomplished wonders in training the children. He -, said some mark of appreciation deserved, and called for three cheers, for her, which were given with gusto. All the performers were then grouped on the stage, and a verse of the National Anthem sung, the audience joining in.

The musical portion of the recital was under the control of Mrs. Edlin, and the success of the evening was to a large extent due to her efforts.

AMUSEMENTS

THREE STARS 'A denizen of fashionable art circles is the heroine of "The Female of the Species,' the smart Triangle play; the Three Stars to-night. Dorothy; Dalton is a sumptuous siren in the leading role, and the whole cast is a; strong one, including Howard Hick* man and Enid Markey. The latter ig particularly alluring as the young wife, and makes up charmingly. Thg 'story is boldly original, its main incident being the accident which deprives the husband of his memory and thus puts him at the mercy of the beautiful, schemer- who is so passionately desirous of owning him. The first scenes for the quietly effective acting of Howard Hickman. A trainsmash done with wonderful realism is one of the central incidents of '"i'he3| Female of the Specials" the story of a contest between a young wife and the siren who has wrested bj' a trick the possession of the attractive hero. A new kind of "Eternal Triangle," is seen in the "The Female of the Species," the brilliant Triangle play The two angles in it arc two women, a beautiful and daring sculptress and a little "homebody" wife, who both fight a battle to a finish for the love of one man. The 9th episode of "Glorias Romance" will also be shown. EVERYBODY'S At this popular theatre to-night will be shown a double star programme, "A Woman's Temptation" is a Fox feature, and like all this firm's productions is a top-notcher. Betty Nansen that talented Swedish actress, is allotted the part of Anna, round whose career, with its mingled delirious enjoyment and pathetic despair, the whole story centres. Betty Nansen, is an artist of international fame, and. the very trying role of the neglected wife, is played as only sh"e can interpret it. The other star is "On Record," in which that piquant screen actress, Mac Murray, takes the principal character. Miss Murray is rapidlywinning her way into the ranks of the first rank artists of the day, and her performance in "On Record," will be revelation to picture lovers. The humorous portion of the programme is in the hands of Victor Moore, who outdoes himself in a hilarious, sidesplitting one reel-comedy, ' 'Ballads and Bologna,' which is also released this week. He plays the part of the delicatessen storekeeper who has his heart and hands full, gathering in the money so that his wife, a potential highbrow, may have sufficient to spend on the nonnecessities of life. There are hundreds of clever stunts pulled in this comedy, and it is full of laughs from start* to finish. The other supports are also first class.