The Washington times., 1933-12-28

pleasure pleasure
great complete rounded satisfaction of nearly
all the human 1t great event and it is
tinuing
Simple Pleasures
Mr. Hurok who brought the Monte Carlo Ballet Russo to
this country to be congratulated but important
he is to be supported. it would mistake if people
got the notion that there is something terribly special and
exclusive in the sasactions of the baes There are
doubt hidden beauties for the experts but the major
pleasures all the surface If bright coors gaey
simple music, good comedy, and marvellous dancing
entertain people, they will enjoy the ballet For the ballet
is rather like good circus, only more interesting.
The two individual hits for instance of the first bill
made by a tramp comedian and waltzer I know
that ehees of the dance will squirm at these names
just know that Mr.. Woizikowsky is greater artist
than Joe Jackson he tramp cycist) and Mr. Massne
Of the half dozen masters Of the art in generation. My
point is only that the instant pleasure you get from these
people is very simple which all enjoy and then,
if you get something more-whch You hardly help
that is so much to the good.
No Snobbery
noticed thing about the audience the opening
night: that it composed of people who haven't ap-
parenv kept up with good American dancing in musical
shows For they burst into applause sometimes at the
spectacle Of the Russians doing steps and figures which, in
themselves have been better done stage
such unison work. of groups, and agites
which almost acrobatc dancer in America surpass
These happen not to be the important things in the Rus
sian style of ballet but the audience to put plainly ate
'fF6llies'' - y
Well. this is form Of snobberv with which the baets
themselves have nothing earth to do They stick to
their appointed work which is to blend music. painting
(in and they have the work of of the
greatest painters ivng) and choreography in order to
create thing. the combination of the arts which
have dreamed and few attempted. They take
trivial episode for plot and give it much life much
humor and much beauty that significant
than tragedy by O'Nei. sorry to say that they
ao OCCASIONS try initiate their dances with too much
symbolism, which is tresome; but at those moments you
just enjoy the dancing for itself
An American Ballet
The appearance Of this ballet Just is of special in
teres because Georges Baanchnc who directed of the
most attractive offerings to become head of American
ballet school Like the other members of the company, he
will 60 through hell and high water to that good
dancing exists He is not too tied down by traditions and,
to Judge by his work is peculiarly fitted to create ballet
in America. CConcurrencc" which he created is based
partly ragme and jazz which had profound effect
French composers in the past 20 years)
To my mind. ballet is natural way for Americans
to express themselves than opera: there only half
dozen operas which interest much any of 80 baets
have We extraordinary natural dancers and
there is something about the rate at which live which the
ballet reproduce and interpret superby. So far
haven't known what to do with talents 1t might be
good idea to 60 the Monte Carlo Baes and what
other people have done with theirs. And have said,
get in addition the deepest pleasure the current theater
give