The Washington times., 1925-02-19
RUTH ST. DENIS
AND DANGERS
DELIGHT
Program Full of NoVeIty-Mr.
ShaWn's American Sketches
Have Lane Scorings
BY JESSIE MCBRIDE.

The Denishawns brought beauti-
ful program of costumed dances in
their program at Polls yesterday
afternoon, brimfull of novelties
that We're both unique and charming.
Ruth st. Denis, Ted Shawn and
their company may be counted upon
to touch the atmosphere Of the
Orient. 1t Is their particular flair,
but yesterday they also chose to
bring America into their scheme
in Five American Sketches" the
dance creations OF Mr.. Shawn with
mnsic by Eastwood Lane and an
Indian dance to Sousa music.
Today they have abandoned the
exquisite staging of former appear
ances here, which is a distinct
loss. They use only a black velvet
curtain, against which the vivid
costumes are effective but which
do not complete the picture. They
ave. too. combined classic dane
e and definite ballet steps, which
is not quite orthodox but is lovely
nevertheless.
The most gripping memory Of this
varied program is the posturing of
Ted Shawn, in an "Adagio Pathe-
tique'' of GODDARD, in representations
of classic Greek statues with which
the world is well acquainted. There
was the Boy with the Thorn, there
was the Dying Gladiator. They
were exquisitely lighted in dim
misty moonlight. 1t was placed in
the group of Music Visualized," in
which Miss st. Denis appeared as
q very real person in a Schubert
Waltz, not the exotic type she SO
finely portrays.
Doris Humphrey Detachable.
A daring nude. had it not been
50 exquisite, was a "Scherzo" by
Doris Humphrey. Her f1eshings
were invisible. She danced like the
spirit of joy itself in and out of a
hoop that encircled her. Her poses
were delectable. 1t idealized the hu-
man form. Botticelli's "Primavera"
was given in tableau made alive in
classic dancing. The real quality of
the figures in the type of Botticelli
lSyas finely portrayed.
''Tragica" was a large group in
he much talked-of experiment Of
r'The Dance" without music, as an
independent art" Here Charles
Weidman, who was notable in many
transformations as an actor-dancer,
led a turbulent mass of humanity in
big sweeping ensembles that were
splendidly executed. The motion
alone was truly enough. It's lack
was in a well constructive dramatic
idea that is the art of pantomime
even extended to the Dance.
Half travesty, half historic pictures
were the five American dances. A
hearty applause greeted the Boston
Fancy-1854," a "lancers" of hoop
skirted maids and gallant cavaliers
who were all admirably in the pic
ture and very close to the heart of
America. A tango" took America
near the Mexican border in an admir-
able dance by Mr.. Shawn and Ernes-
tine Day. Again Mr.. Weidman, IS
q crap shooter. brings vivid comic
sketch. and Ted Shawn as a cowboy
carries us to another bit of our land.
The only idealized sketch was his
Indian Invocation to the Thunder
bird with Mr.. Shawn at his most
|, beautiful best.
Gorgeous Algerian Dance.
The finale was an Algerian Dance
Drama created by Miss ST. Denis.
with most delightful music by r. s.
Stoughton. Here is the st. Denis
of small face. long neck. the exotic
type that she so individually gives
II was gorgeously robed. We do not
find this artist really dancing, but
her play of form and arms are fine
pantomime, her costumes and those
of the brilliant ensemble ablaze with
9olor and Jewels and rich textures
p instrumental quartet with Louis
Horst, pianist-conductor. gave eff
fective music to n memorable pro
gram. The dance recital was pre-.
scented by Mrs. Wilson Greene.