The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-03
DANSE DU vENTRE STOPPED.
zHE POLICE BREAK UP THE CHIo< O.
CAIRO FIHIBI1ION

Ne May 60 In Chicago, Inspector Wiiiis-s
1ny- hot Not In New YorE-Ths Mas.
neernent or 60 Submit the Dance TO tbs
Decision OF COMMITTEES OF Minister'S
The danse du ventre. which was one Of the
features Of the Worlds Fair at Chicago. and
which is said TO have obtained the endorse
ment OF q large number OF the Board OF Lady
Managers. was declared by the police last
night to be unit for New York audiences, and
unless the courts should interfere It will not
be produced hero again.
IL was toward the latter end Of the thirteenth
performance given in this city that the police
interfered. and II the superstition about the
number thirteen exists in Cairo. whence the
dance is said to have come. probably they will
lay tho interruption to that
The dance has been the main feature OF an
exhibition given at the Grand Central Palace.
The notoriety which IL received at Chicago
and the description printed OF it had attracted
a very largo crowd; In fact. so eager were
many OF tho visitors that on several occasions
they wrecked the ticket office.
The room in which the dance was presented
was on tho third floor. in tho eastern wing,
| and had been decorated with red and white
striped Turkish cloth. A stage had been con-
| structed at the further end and several hum
| dred wooden chairs filled the space In the
auditorium.
| The programme in which the danse du ventre
was included occupied only about three-quar-
| ters OF an hour. and five performances were
| arranged for each night The fret perform
ance was given last night beginning at
o'clock. without any mishap. and while this
was going on double line was formed out
! sido OF eager visitors.
At no timo were there fewer than 200 people
| in line. Most OF the people we're we'll dressed
| and respectable in Appearance. and number
wero accompanied by ladies, some OF whom
| were gray haired.
The number OF disreputa able looking persons
IN the crowd was proportionately much less
| than gathers Mt the average respectable the
atrcal performance. From the comments
heard II was apparent that not moro than half
had any adequate idea Of what the danse du
ventre Is. Those who had an Idea looked at
those who hadn't with smiles that were Gig
nihcRnt.
A tall negro. who was called . Nubisn
ounuch by the m management, guarded the door.
There was another inside. who stood around
and occasionally steered people whom they
tried to go through doors that would not open.
Both were dressed in Gaudy uniforms orna-
mented with Oriental tinseL
Once inside. the FOUNDERS became very I'm
ratient and exhibited desire to guy every
body who appeared to be connected with tho
management or the company. While they
were in the midst Of audible comments and
snickors. the tall form OF Police Inspector
Williams N2sSeen in the doorway.
lie forced lis way through the crowd and
took seat at the right OF the main aisle two
rows from the stage. With him was Police
Captain Berghold OF tho Grand Central sta
ton. Both we're In citizens clothing. Not far
AWAY were two detectives also In citizens
clothes.
At . o'clock ono OF tho dancers walked
across the stage amid hooking applause from
the FOUNDERS. Five minutes later the band
consisting OF four pieces. climbed up on long
divan at tho rear of the stage. They all wore
Turkish costumes. including the turbans- In
the centre was Sowing, gigantic Turk with
At his left was a man with Lutte, Mt his right
man with an ordinary tamhourlne' ana De-
called n tnrDouha: This band struck up
mouruful air, and thereupon the dnncers APP
peRred. They also climbed on the divan. two
on each side OF the band.
Al the cxtrcme right was Fatma. much
faded woman in stripped dress and waist
covered with tins eli and medals. Next to her
sat the star dancer. the prima donna. who. is
called Ferida. She is said to be the wife OF a
She has a pretty face and large. lustrous
similar iN to that o: Fntma but It extend ed down
only q short distance and beneath this was esI
She had a bright skirt decorated with much |
At the extreme left was very pretty blond
a child's and red checks that did not look as
they SHs n wSr Sa. 0EE Next s IN
her was Iora. the youngest OF the four. who |
was rather pretty and had long black hair.
with IL dainty piece df white lawn in each hand
Her initial steps were very graceful and there
some in the audience il was quickly followed.
however. by the dance du yentre Her presen.
OF tn" others. but nevertheless the women in
the audience began to look uneasy. and someof
nations ma no Inspector WiIiiams watched at en-
lively. but his face was eNpressionless- Tho
second dancer was Stella and her action was
much more rapid.
Then came fatma, anil ut, her performance
many OF the women ayerted their eyes Two
linms and Capt. Berghold. One was. elderly
and digniled, the other was young and pretty.
The former looked shocked and the latter
In the middle of Fatma's performance the
elder woman whispered to her escort, and he
beckOned to one Of the attendants. Whom the
latter came forward tho man asked him to
was done he escorted his com panions out. In
spector, Williams shifted little In his chair.
Ferida, the asst dancer. now came forward
and was greeted with cries OF delight by many
in the audience. Her face was wreathed IN
smiles AMI her eyes shOns like a cats. All
the previous performances were mid COM
pared with hers. and the audience became
Very lew Of the women were now looking at
the stage hut many Of the men were induig-
The lato stayrTs at our Old-tme French balls.
Ferida was in the middle OF one OF her dances
when Inspector Williams arose and walked up
10 tho stage.
stop that" he cried.
Ferida did not understand him. and contin-
led,
han before. and placed his hand upon the |
guard rail OF the tOotghts as though intend-
ng to leap upon the stage.
The musicians kept right on. but FeTtdA
stopped, and she and tho other dancers looked |
A. he Inspector in Rmazemsnt
This performances cannot go onl" yelled
ne Inspector, either tonight or any other |
night IL Is brutal and disgusting"
There were some cheers from mon In the |
bnnk OF tho Tnnm. Anl the anIlrA andIRncA was |