The Washington times., 1913-04-04
Count of Luxembourg" Staircase ss...s
Waltz Difficult, Says Julia Murdoch.

- ENSAT1ONAL waltzes have been
conspicuous in many light op-
~ eras OF late. but 1t remained
for "The Count OF Luxembourg
which comes to the National Theater
next week. to introduce the most
startling Of all the dreamy wrinkles
the staircase waltz.
In discussing this latest exemplifca-
ton Of the poetry of motion. Miss Ann
Swinburne and George Leon Moore.
who portray 1t by gliding up and
down a golden stairway to the strains
Of Franz Lehar's fascinating waltz
music. declare 1t Is easy. Many nave
tried 1t after witnessing 1t on the
stage. They say 1t may be more diff
ficulf than 1t seems. This undoubted-
ly Is true.
One disadvantage that Miss Swim
burne and Mr.. Moore have to over
come is a curved staircase, with n
landing at the top. This landing has
to be taken in one step, as each tread
or step of the stairway has to be
taken to one bar Of music. Miss Swim
burne's description of the dance is
most interesting.
I'VE go up on a sort of half swing"
she says. ''the poise being obtained
through practice. A complete revo-
lution Is made In mounting two steps.
I'VE start on on the lower landing to
the stairway with opposite feet. but not
the two inside feet. We go up the
stairway to the left Of the audience first
and do the reverse because 1t fits in
more easily with the trend Of the stairs.
I start with my right foot and Mr..
Moore starts with his left, SO that my
left foot and my partners right come
on the second step Of the stairs. The
secret of 1t ali, really. is In keeping
the feet of the dancers together.
When We reach the top of the stairs
we waltz across the landing there to
the stairs on the right and waltz down
them In much the same manner as We
have gone up. Sometimes we waltz up
these stairs. Then we do not use the
reverse. Beside, / am on the right hand
Of my partner, whereas, originally.
was on the left. SO start with my left
foot and he with his right. The only
peculiar thing about going up the stairs
on this side Is that instead of my
Mariners right arm being around my
waist. as in ordinary waltzing. he puts
his left there instead. This helps me
up the stairs. 1t makes 1t appear a
very left-handed affair, and our arms
are really working against our feet, as
II were.
Another curious feature is that the
dancers bodies really swing away from
the stairs as il they must fall-that Is,
of course from the observers point of
view. They appear to Sbe inclining to
an overhansing point
what we have to keep in mind, and
this constantly. Is our distance. We
steps, as well as that OF the staircase.
so that we may land at the right place
at the right moment. In one respect
the dance Is like golf. One must keep
in practice or run the risk of making
an exhibition of ones self"
All Of the interest in the Count Of
Luxembourg" however. does not CEN
ter in the staircase waltz. According
to Fred Walton, the famous English
part, the gentle art of pantomime has
some distinguishing features which
are Just as intricate and hard to
master.
Pantomime is one of the most diff
ficult studies in stage work, as l re-
allied after a conversation with Mr..
Walton on the subject. and / have
taken his most valuable ideas on the
subject verbatim. Nowadays in the
time Of the moving picture. panto-
mime has become OF more moment
than ever before. and the aspirant to
the stage OF the picture drama will
do we'll to give Mr.. Walton's advice
most careful consideration.
He said, when asked to explain the
art:
First Of all one must grasp the