BALLROOM "ROMPING" CONDEMNED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 2 November 1907, Page 6

BALLROOM "ROMPING" CONDEMNED.

NEW DANCES THAT WILL BE POPULAR. Hundreds of the most expert professors of dancing, men and women, members of tlie Imperial Society of Dance Teachers, met in conference lately at the Hotel Cecil, London. The delegates arc mainly interested in inventing new dances and in raising the tone of the ballroom. They are one and all arch-enemies of "romping" at danres. As the official programme has it, the high object of the ladies and gentlemen concerned is "the elevation and advancement of their art, the preservation of and maintenance of its ancient prestige and dignity, and the promotion of everything calculated to benefit the cause of dancing." Great interest is manifested in two new dances which come from Holland, known as the "Apollo" waltz and the "Motor" polka; they both seem likely to be exceedingly popular in the coming winter. The "Apollo" is primarily a waltz, hut it develops into a figure dance, with sinuous, gliding Spanish movements. The ''Motor" polka goes considerably over regulation speed, and has brightening effects of heel and toe episodes. ROMPING CONDEMNED. Another waltz which we are told will "electrify and onchant" Uritish ballrooms is the "Cecilian Waltz," devised by Mr li. M. Crompton, the President of tlie Society. It is based on

"a study of the physical, mechanical, and artistic principles of the waltz." Mr Charles D'Albcrt, the Vice-Pre-sident of the Society, was severe on certain aspects of modern dancing. "The square dance," lie said, "has degenerated until it is now a mere romp. A man slings a woman off her feet and thinks he is dancing. As for the lancers, most of them should be called 'kitchen lancers,' and this kind, I need hardly say, is barred by every member of onr society.

"This 'romping' was brought about bv incompetent teachers, who picked up dances hut did not take the trouble to perfect themselves. It is going out to a very largo extent."