The times., 1897-12-19
A CHRISTMAS BALLET.
Very Latest Holiday Diversion OF
New York's Cav society

very Latest Holiday Diversion OF
New Sork's Gay society
New York, Dec. 1S.-Society has a new
advertisement for this holiday sea son, and
society calls il 4 Christmas pantomine,
which is very English.
whisper il not aloud, but pantonime
is translated ballet" by the kno wing
ones. who add and isn't a ballet n story
told ty gesture, which is also the tefini-
tion OF pantonine, and have not kings
and queens princes and princesses danced
in bellet TO celebrate events of import
ance?'
Therefore, there is nothing so very
startling in the fact that all the bellies
and beauH Of the smart set are raining
the fantastic toe to trip a dainty measure,
not almost. but altogether, a la 7ba llet:
society So dearly loves 4 fresh amuse-
ment.
The ballet, which is being practiced now
behind closed doors I'm boudoir or dra wing
room. is TO grace the festivities of a CAV
hoiSe party given during Christmas week
at = splendid country house on the Hud s,u
E'forc deciding finally upon q bal let
the claims of different ones were .,onsid-
cred. Robert ie Diable' was finally de-
cided upCn, To be followed by "Punchi
neio and Columbine," and then a final
one of the mistetoe bough.
One Of the beauties of this ARA nsefn:nt
is that the three bailets are possible for
one evening, with easy changes Of ccs-
tumes-a great consideration. With prou-
cites and entries, with grace full gesture ind
dainty balancings on tiptoa, anda pas seul
here and a pas seul there, these three
dance, are being practiced with zeal and
conc entratiun Of mind, to say nothing Of
daily consultations with ones dressnta ker
The costume is comparatively simple. for
the tragic ballet from Robert lie Dja BILE
the men wear the dress Of the Franciscan,
monks or gray friars-a loose and long
gray caSsock, belted with leather thong.
aud 4 gray cowl. The nuns wear white
habi'e. girded with q blue cord, in which
are the three knots, syrnboliZIng rovrrty
celhacy and obedience; over their ha bit is
worn Cloak falling open in front, with a
hood upon the head.
1t is but tie work of moment. fter
one has Ganced off the stage and behind
the scenes, To doff the religious sarb,
underneath which is worn the P1n,hi-
nello and Colunbine costumes-the former
white smcck and trousers, with a br ,ad
gray nat as n final touch; Columhine, The
village maiden, who, when she dances is
like a wave of the sea- wears a rose red
SKIRT, cut In deep scallops and over this
a calyN or the roSe-a green skirt. shorter
| than the under one, and also scallored;
| pretty bodice, covered with golden cres.
| cents, and coquettish cap give the rip
| ishing touches.
After this ballet appear my lorls ard
ladies' 10 conventional evening attire, and
follows the ballet of the mistIetoe boucn
which is incomparabiy ca ptiva ting-fudeal.
| picture perfect in all its parts, as ba.,et
| should he.
The tragical story Of tue romantic mistle-
toe bough isfollowed by more lively scenes,
| the decoration of the ballroom having been
arranged with a special view to this ,o,l.
| Guiding dance.
Wreaths of holly and mistletoe are
| suspended from archways of evergreens
| which are placed the length of the room.
| at intervals, and as the dancers glide
| about in measured step, the dance is so
| arranged that every now and then each
! couple passes under a misttoe wreath
| wien tue cavalier kisses the hand of his
| falr partner, In manner quite worthy
| of any knight of medieval times,
| The Christmas tree, which is, of course.
| the Hamlet of every entertainment at ttis
season has been moved to a central DO
| sition, and q distribution OF gifts forms
| the climax to a CAV frolic