The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1908-11-29

ehe sWay1ne OF my body and the move
ments of the robe.
1t is difficult to describe this part of
my dance, 1t is really too complicated
70 put into words, Another dancer
might obtain more delicate effects, more
grace in the movements, but it would
not be the same. The spirit which ere
ated them is needed to make them iden-
tical,
studied each separate movement
and finished by counting dozen. The
! first required blue light, the second a
red and The third a yellow. For the
purpose of illuminating my dances [
imagined protector with q colored
glass in front of the lens, but the last
of the series I decided TO execute with
one ray of yellow light crossing the
back of the stage.
Having completed my studies I set
| out to find an impresario. During my
career as an actress I had known them
all, but I was scarcely prepared for the
reception l got from them. They
laughed in my face. They regarded my
aspirations to be dancer as simply
ridiculous. Citing Sylvia Grey and
Lefty Lind as dancers whom ! could not
hope to rival, they gently but firmly
declined TO consider my proposition. I
grew desperate l knew I had found
something new, something unique,
though / was far from imagining that
had discovered new principle des-
tined to revolutionize esthetics-.
Finally director who had tried his
best TO get me as a singer. but who
had utterly refused TO consider me as a
dancer, consented, thanks to the inter
vention of friend, to see my dance.
A single gas Jet threw ghostly light
over the stage when I walked on. From
r seat in the orchestra stalls the direc-
tor, frankly bored, almost disdainful,
! watched ne. There was no music, no
| place for me to dress, The chance was
! slipped on my costume over my street
dress, hummed an air and began to
dance in the half light.
The director dropped his bored ex-
! preston, left his seat. came closer. as
cended the stage. His eyes sparkled
! strangely. l kept on, now gliding into
the deep shade at the back of the stage,
now turning and twisting frantically
| right in the glare of the light.
! Finally, lifting up part of the robe
| above my shoulders, l shaped it into n
! cloudlike form all around me and
! dropped-a shimmering mass of silk and
gauze-at the director s feet,
He did not utter a word. Visions Of
success must already have been dane
able effort he came out of has ecstasy
and. trembling with emotion, baptized
my dance tThe Scrpentine''
''That's the name of it, he said,
"and l have just the music TO 20 with
it. Come into m Office and I'll play it
| for you.
There for the first time I heard The
"Loin du Bal" He offered me a sal.
airy of $50 week, l accepted on con
dition that my name should he on the
bills. A few days later l Joined his
company and we spent six weeks on the
road, The director, however, did not
keep his word with regard TO putting
my name on the bills, though my dance,
executed during an entT 'acte and with
out colorcd lights, was n success from
the first step A month later in Brook
lyn it made n phenomenal hit and the
following week [ made my debut at the
Casino in New York.
There, for the first time, | was able
IN realize my dances as ] had conceived
fhell-the hall all in darkness, the stage
aplow with colored lights. My first
darce was executed in blue light. The
house was packed and enthusiasm
reipned. When ] finished the entire
audience was on its feet: Among the
spectators was an old friend of mine,
Marshall P Wilder. the humorist. He
recognized me and shouted out my name.
When ii was known that the now dan.
sense was the one-time comedy star
received n marvellous ovation.
The hall rang with cries Of applause
'rBravo, the butterfly, The orchid
The cloud! The butterfly! Bravo
Bravo!'' Their enthusiasm knew no
bounds. The shouts of applause rang
in nv ears like bells. [ was intoxicated
with 10y aud gratitude.
Next day / was awakened at dawn
n read the criticisms. Every newspaper
in New York spoke of the marvellous
creation of Loie Fuller Some gave
me page, none less than a column
Numerous illustrations Of my dances ap
reared with the articles, ''Loie Full
Ter is born again from her ashes" said
one critic,
hid my face in the pillows. and the
tears which had for so long filed my
discouraged heart welled into my eyes
! had waited for that day! Ny happi
ness. however, was but short lived. ]
noticed that. though the whole city was
covered with gigantic posters bearing a
life size picture Of me, my name was
never onco mentioned and / asked the
director for IN explanation. He said
he could do nothing, and that if ! did
NOT wish 10 continue my engagement he
had no objection, having already taken
! due precautions. That evening the