The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-29
Mile. GENEE, ARTIST.
Famous Dancer Seen Behind Curtain
by Reporter.

MARIE? peremptory voice called
across the stage-speaking English, but
trlcked with soft foreign accent. The
reporter, sitting in a dressing room. lined
with skirts of fluffiest tuIIe and nilad
with all manner of slippers wondered
what the danseuse would be like Is If
possible she walks across the stage like
an ordinary human being-or does She
Liut5er pehlnd the scenes as she does be-
hlnd the footlightS?
Madame, your dressing room, ic ba-a ,,
quoth the maid, and there swept into tbe
room well poised little figure in a Soher
PACK cloak and jaunty rose colored NAT.
1nterest-we don't say disdain-and. as
a preliminary measure, scattered Florida
water from a wicker bottle over the floor.
m sorry to keep you waiting she be-
gan I've been walking about Topeka.
seeing 1t all alone and-what do YOU
hlnk?-buyfng chocolates
She took a pair OF pink satin sIipners
in her lap and sat comfortably down in
d chair. ~
How many dancing shoes have your"
On. about three hundred she re-
sponded, nOnchalantly. "a new pair every
performance-sometim two" She tossed
the slipper into one of her three dozen
trunks from which they were promptly
rescued by Marie
Genee glanced affectionately down at
shoes, with low heels.
MY feet are just like anybody else's''
she announced, some say my instep has
been broken. Ridiculous, have no
broken limbs. Others say my nails have
been removed. Absurd. 1 could not dance
without them"
How long have you been dancing, Mile
Genee?''
Long? Since I was eight years old
MY uncle was master of the dance at
Copenhagen, and taught me to pirouette''
Imagine Genee a little girl, swaying
about on the tips OF those wonderful toes
She went to London when she was very
small, captured the court by storm, and
began her career. She has a big British
husband now and a large country place
in England.
DO YOU prefer to dance to European
aCdienceS?''
''Oh. would hardly say that-they I'M
derstand me better. perhaps. America
has had so little pantomime. People ask
me if my profession requires a great
deal of imagina tion-certainly; but on
both sides of the footlights''
DO You and Pavlowa belong to different
schools?''
oh no. no. no. We belong to the same
school of ballet But one thing enters
into her dancing which Will not allow
THAT is?''
''Sensuality." Genee shrugged her Shout
ders, other may use it Not l.
DO you feel that you have reached the
height of Your profession?"
Genee smiled. mo artist ever feels
that, my dear. / am probably the most
modest person alive / have worked hard
but it is worth it, My art is my life
1t is said that the little dancer lives
the life of an ascetic-no parties, no
sweets, no wine. Everything has been
sacrificed to attain the perfection which
was displayed Tuesday afternoon at the
Grand
They said two years ago when 1 mar
ried that / was to retire. That was not
true. / shall retire only once, and then
1 shall not come back
She slipped out of her coat and Marie
began operations. In few minutes she
was dancing about the stage, sinking in
the softest of eourtesies kissing her hand
and letting il flutter down TO her silken-
Shod feet.