New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-23
and Poets, Says Karsavina
Looks Forward with Mingled
Eagerness and Dread to
Engagement Here in
the Coming Season.

effect. We may decide not to give 'sche-
herazade' at all. but I hope that some
means may be found 10 get over the diff
Guilty, as IL IS one OF the most beauti-
full OF all our ballets.'
But still another thing seemed TO be
troubling Nine. Karsavina. and that was
tho American sense OF morality. or pru-
derry Would tho American people realize
that when things are done artistiAally all
harm is removed from them? Anthony
Comstock was a name that she had evil
IDENTIFY heard, and she seemed IT tines to
be afraid that upon the arrival OF the
ballet he would suddenly multiply him
self. The interviewer assured her that
tho tales OF hyperprudery that she had
heard were no doubt much exaggerated,
whereupon she appeared slightly relieved
America TO us is a strange country, and
We hear go many stranger stories about II
that We don't know quite what 20 believe
she explained. However. l never believed
you were so prudish as some people have
reported. know that tho greatest favor
its of the sel.ct.ons given by Nine. Paw
Iowa and Mr.. Mordkine was the 'Bac-
chanale, ard that isn't the tamest of
.Sohehera2ade' 70 the dainty Carnival
OF schuuann. They are all beautiful. and
if looxsd ut IN the right way, oil equally
devoid Of offence. I feel sure that the
Americans will see them in this light and
will not allow a false sense Of morality
to interfere with the production of works
Of exquisite art
.'Do you think II necessary for a dancer
foot ha-
art?" asked tho interviewer.
Absolutely" was Nine. Karsavina's
quick response. 1T is impossible for girl
to begin TO learn TO dance when she has al
ready matured. She never can gain the re-
quired suppleness. no matter how hard she
may try. And you in America are making it
impossible for your country ever 10 have
a native ballet OF the first class simply
because your law does not allow young
children TO dance for the stage Those who
made that foolish law surely did not know
what they were doing. To say that dane
ing Is bad for a child's health is ridiculous.
Why, dancers live TO be older than any
one else. In Russia they frequently live
70 be n hundred In fact. the exercise
STRENGTHENS us, and as It is absolutely
necessary Tor us 10 Keep III boou Colitl-
ton In order to retain our skill an irregu-
lar life Is rendered impossible. For girl
dancing is the best exercise I'm the world
Take myself, for instance. | have scarcely
ever been Ill I'm my life. Could YOU say
that OF many young women of society, who
have never been allowed during their child
hood to stray from their nurses apron
strings? No; apron strings don't make for
health.
"a dancer must have n clear head and
n clear eye and a sound body. She must
he able to endure far beyond the endurance
required by the average person. And what
ia more she must always be in the best
of condition. 1t won't do for her To dance
well one day and badly the next-she
would receive her discharge before there
was any next And the only way In which
she can be sure always TO dance well is
TO keep her health. IL Will be a pity n
YOU Americans do not come 10 learn this.
for naturally your women are splendid
dancers, but unless they begin to learn
earlier than they do at present they never
can perfect themselves. OF course. some
sorts Of dancing, such as that made