Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-02
KING sISSowATH'S BALLET.
Rich Costumes and Graceful Dances OF
Cambodian Women.
From the London Globe.

rrOm the LondOn GlODe
Sissowath. King Of Cambodia, is now
visiting France. accompanied by some Of
his "ballerini," than when there are none
In the world SO remarkable for sumptuous
attractiveness. Their rich costumes cut
ancient Siamese fashion, are laden with
bright embroideries and sparkling orna-
ments.
The substantial silken fabrics of which
they are made come from Siam and India
They are of all eolors-yellew, red. blue
and green-with interlacings of gold and
silver filigree. Like all the other Cam
bodian women, these dancers have their
hair cut short, brush fashion. They wear
gold helmets studded with gems, frequently
of great value. These dazzling helmets
which remind one of the turrets Gaping
the Siamese pagodas, have gold pendants.
framing, as 1t were in delightful fashion
the dancers tantalizing roguish faces.
Among these dancers are those who take
hrSt rank and whose attire is even richer
than that Of the majority. So strict are
the stage rules that an error OF interpreta-
ton or false step may result in their being
deprived OF their rich attire, worth in some
instances, from G1,500 to $4,000.
remarkable fact In regard to these
dancers Is the yellow color of their COM
plexions; 1t results from the use of a kind
of paint formed OF an extract of curcuina
vegetable product of the country. The
entire theatrical element attached to the
palace Of Prom PENN is composed of 600
artists, OF whom only small dancing con-
In watching the action Of the dancers as 1t
unfolds on the stage ones attention is at
tracted by the graceful swaying of their
bodies, caused by a backward raising of
one foot. SO as to initiate the movements
Of an elephant. which 1t seems the Cam
bodians consider full OF charm. Let us
add that they hold in high generation that
pachydermatous animal.
There is another dance which still fur
Their enlfsts our attention for it recalls
the 'menuet" SO dear to our ancestresses.
While the orchestra Is playing a medley
or indigenous tunes the dancers execute
numerous steps pertinent to 1t. One is
surprised to learn that this old dance
popularized in Siam, was introduced there
by the Siamese ambassadors on their re-
turn in 1886 from Versailles, where they
came TO render homage on the part OF
their king to Louis XIV. Still, all these
effects are but accessories. inasmuch as
the essential physical efforts of the Cam
bodfan dancers, expressive OF their aspira-
lions. are the result of an elaborate
mimic action of the hands, only success
fully accomplished after years of labori-
Gus and patient training.
Cambodian actresses seldom speak on
the stage. but when they do they, Of
course, use their own language; while if
they sing they are compelled to vocaIiza
on Slamese texts, which have never been
translated into Cambodian. The chiro-
graphic eyolutions are not mere dances:
they are well-regulated pantomimes and
mimodramas, the meaning of which is
Interpreted by a chorus of female singers,
figuring with the orchestra on the stage
which, by the way, is custom prevail
ing throughout the extreme east, with
the exception Of Japan. Where the or
ehestra Is placed behind the scenery, the
reason for It being that the orchestra
does not lead the performance, but Is led
by the acting OF the players.
Cambodian musical instruments are
primitive, loud and quaint. In the front
rank figure big xylophones, ship-shaped.
and large rectangular boxes on rollers.
the fingerboards of the former being
formed Of series of bamboo keys, while
the hngerboards of the latter are formed
Of thin metal plates. Then we have tho
brass cymballs affixed to rattan-made cir
cles. inside Of which the musicians sit
doubled up and play. They are all armed
with wooden hammers, with which they
vigorously attack their instruments.
Cambodfan melody is much more seduc-
tive than 1t appears to be on first hearing
It, The ear soon gets accustomed to the
pentatontc gamut Of the Asiatics With
q view OF enforcing the rhythm series
Of big and small drums, having the one a
high note and the other a low note In the
same key, complete the orchestral ar
rangement.
The xylophone Is the favorite musical
instrument Of the Cambodians. and as q
matter Of course every band has a con-
ducter: but he Is merely a figurehead as
leader, unless the sovereign commands
him to play a solo on the xylophone, of
which he must be proficient and as he
bodian instruments his playing is always
most acceptable to the listeners.
He is a bit of a martinez In his way. He
carries q big stick and when any member
rehearsais he does not forget to apply il
pretty vigorously across his shoulders.
We may possibly shortly have the oppor-
tunity OF deciding as to the merits Of the
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