JUST LIKE ARITHMETIC

New Zealand Listener, Volume 13, Issue 330, 19 October 1945, Page 11

JUST LIKE ARITHMETIC

In Praise of Dancing

UR advance programmes told us that Miss Beryl Nettleton would give two talks on Dancing in 1YA’s Winter Course ‘Series, "The Arts To-day,", on the successive Thursday evenings, October 25 arid November 1, but when we called on Miss Nettleton to see what she would tell The Listener about her talks we found not one person but two -BMiss Nettleton and her partner, Miss Bettina Edwards-involved in preparing these talks. "Our first talk will be on the history of ballet from the early fifteenth century up till the time of its re-birth in

France and England early. this century when it was re-introduced from Russia," said Miss Nettleton. "And from there we go on to the formation of the Royal Academy and the adoption of its teaching throughout the Empire," said Miss Edwards. "You see," said Miss Nettleton, "I’m hoping that Miss Edwards will give one of the talks-we’re preparing them together because we always work together. Or perhaps we'll make them into dialogues and do them together." They explained, one beginning a sentence, the other finishing it, the gradual enrichment of ballet repertoire by the adoption and elaboration of folk tunes and stories;.and they told us how the shortening of ballet skirts had made many more steps available to the bailerina and had made possible the virtuosity of to-day’s ballets. But when they spoke about the work of the Royal Academy-its charter was the last charter granted by King George V., Miss Nettleton said-Miss Edwards and Miss Nettlegon became really happy. "The Academy’s teaching brought order out of chaos," they said. "It changed what could only be regarded charitably as ‘fancy dancing’ to something with an ordered technique. It works along sane lines for the well-being and enjoyment of the pupil." "Scotch That Idea" We asked them what: they thought about the popular idea that the Academy dealt in toe-dancing. — "Good heavens, children learn for six whole years before they ever go on their toes. I suppose we'll never scotch that. old idea. It’s the same with the mothers who arrive panting, at the first lesson, to ask how soon little Jennifer will be able to dance in public. That’s not what we teach them for, it’s not what the Royal Academy teaching is meant forat least in this country. It’s for their posture and their deportment and their general health. Everyone should dance. I'd like to see dancing taught in every school. I’d like to see it in every curriculum," said Miss Nettleton. "Just like arithmetic," said Miss Edwards. "Only more enjoyable," said Miss Nettleton. A late amendment to’ the programmes announces that Miss aeenee will give one of these talks.