The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-05-18
BALLET DANCING A LOST ART.
man kICkING mas TtkJN H>
PIi,E. SIGNS BONfA\H.

us sh,ch n size sa,s b Trac'"s
classic Traditions 10 Pupils hant'i {.
From 4 10 aO some Dance To lie
Graceful. Others To Cure rheumatism
On the brownstone front OF a houss
uptown there Is displayed a weather-oeaien
black and gold sign suggesting many re-
mini-ccnces TO old theatregoers. II bears
th. name Of Marie Bonfanti Of Black
Crook and The white Fswu- fame and
s~nr1unce. that she teaches he tru" art ~
dancing
In 1901. > .aid Mime Bonfanu n day
last week. 4 retired from the stage. At
that time I lad Numerous oh"r- aud sorn"
Of them we're tempting. too. hut ! decid'h
TINT ! would take a rest ,
i saw. too. that the Old classic school OF
dancing NlS growing into disiaNoT' that w"
tHoatrpVcet- ~ to-day couldn't look on
re real thing. as they any, with the same
A~ppreciAtive enthusiasm that the old-
timers did That's the difference In tie
times. | suppose
Now. ! dart like 20 disrarase the dane
ing that IL done at ia" present time, but
really II II. Shocking TO 10 any theatre
whore there ~ a large chorus and where
much dancing Is done. AID you may see
the condition Of things
There il dancing. yes, III admit that.
but monkeys or Ramins could do the Same
thing You will see a lot Of pretty girls,
beautiful costumes, and a large amount
Of high kicking There IL no real true
dancing. though, There il no art
In all my time in New York since my
retirement from the stage ] have teen nut
one piece Of dancing that has Ia u the pm
ciples Of true art and that was nj .
music hall The dancer n Mis- beesie
Clayton This dancer deserves all the praise
that j. showered upon her. for her acro-
batic dancing IL surely marvellous
After NV retirement ] went TO Eurore
on a pleasure trip Tor three years Nhen
I came back I had no idea Of opening q
school Some % nv friends mentioned
the subject to me. and ~ ! love the Work
| decided TO venture OUT
Tho school IL a room about rs feet bv ".
A section 81 the centre of the Floor - waved.
and u - here tina the pupils pirouette Inc
rear ~ tho apart ment Is aepai stcd from the
dancing foor by rorti~rc@ 4 piano stands
In one corner 81 the room. And that's all.
syou 500 ha We tn 70 ahou: in this abbrevi-
a'Ad costume said Nine Bonfanti. apollo
ge'icslly. az che pointed 10 n short skirt
which reached an inch or two below the
knees. Il can Illustrate the motion 30 much
NV pupil-, oh, ycs: ! have . largo
number. have children ~ young a. 4
wears and mon a. far advanced In lie a.
three score wears.
VI NhNl - N'A MN" n i'm - :" .
rome here for the purpose 81 learning 10
dance. It's the exer, ise. the development
which my system affords that brings him.
Not long ago AT aged, White haired
gentleman Cail-d on mo and asked me II !
Could help him anv. He had q mild at
tack Of rheumatism. In less than two
weeks that old gentleman was able to stand
on the tips ~ hir toe~ for n minute and a
half. H. "a month the rheumai i=rn had dis-
APPEARED altogether.
$500 a-. a. - IT, ahNATAn fnkA
tho daurirg "N"r 10, 10 become strong:
some few are studying for a professional
career.
Actresses. Young and middle-aeed. have
taken dancing lessons under my tuielase,
not to learn the classic dance, hut for phyri-
cal Gcyel, pmcnt. ! max" Il compulsory
with every new patron to 40 through III"
exercises II the old ballet az the first step
toward grace
'Some II nv patrons obiec, vigorously
10 t-'irC PVT through such a severe test al
tho beginning, hut with me these ballet
movements arc imperative know their
value After ell. n YOU examine tie sub
JcCt closely, IL IL the only way
\ NmnntIum OF Ttvsionl culture school
l. al. right for women WHO wish to he mus
cular IN a masculine senac, hut for real
vomaIlv grace and supplere-s the rudi-
mentary cNerCises az the old ballet cannot
he eGuallNd
a woman doesn't want 70 be develored
50 that her muscles will stick out in knots,
and sfo do'su' want 10 give exhibitions Of
strcnr'N. either. Awoman desires graceful,
well pIopuriurod Cui yes. beauty, and al
the sam. time. n CERTAIN steady. vigorous
power and -ttpncss back ~ II all.
Lack Il T'rssVeranCn II the stumbling
block 10 the average American girl. Sic
thinks MAJ Il she practices a little while
every dav for a few months that she IL a
great dancer Sh" thinks she can say. One.
tire" know Il
Not 49, Impossible Why, the girls
lr tho European countries who have am
billions In w., dancing line will devote years
NJ constant study and practice "a their work
And 'cu hours practice a dAy IL considered
That's WHY Tho foreigners excrl. They
more pat ience and everyone will ad-
that somehow their notions OF art are
clearer
Mario Bonfarti made her first appearance