THEATRE SCENE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 9, 5 July 1911, Page 7

THEATRE SCENE.

KI'SSIAX DAXCEKS TCKI-TSE To PKRRIRM TOCIi'niKK.

Ail extraordinary scene. of n kind tiiat lias not boon witnessed for many a year at a London tlieatre, took place recently at the Palace llnsic J-Tall. The star •'turn" of tlic evening—the performance of the famous Russian (lancers, Pavlova and Mordkin —was the cause of the amazing incident. Tim two artists declined, in spile of repeated calls, to appear in the most popular piece of their repertoire, Glasnoy's "Baeehanale." The audience expressed their dissatisfaction by tumultuous booing aim hooting, which even the comic pictures of the bioscope could not stop. It is an. open secret that since their iirst appearance on Raster Monday at the Palace, a spirit of discontent has prevailed among the leading members of the troupe. On that day the two stars of the company were seen together oil' the stage, and ll.cn matters grew strained . At subsequent performances Pavlova, appeared alone, and Monlkin also appeared as a solo dancer. A reconciliation was attempted, and at, one time it was thought that friendly relations would be restored.and that the two famous artistes would consent to daiiep their famous duos.

Kven in this night, .Air. Alfred Tiutt, the manager, eoillidetitly anticipated they would work again harmoniously together, but after giving several turns separately tliey declined to interpret the famous 'Tiacchanalc." The curtain was hurriedly lowered, and M. Mordkin apuearcd in front of the. bioscope pictures, apparently willing to satisfy the demands of the audience.

Hut, standing'in an appealing attitude, he intimated in dumb show that lie was unable to prevail upon his lady partner t" join him. The audience set up a tumult, and it. really ivas a tribute to their patience that damage was not done. M. Monlkin retired ,anil reappeared several times, garbed in character, for Ihe "Bacchanale," but -Madame Pavlova remained obdurate. Finally, the curtain was rung down amid a perfect storm of booing and hissing.