Evening star., 1936-01-13
Miss SchOOp
Has Unique
Dance Idea
Comedy in Daily Life
Offers Delightful
Entertainment.

IT IS a pity that the dance offering
Of Trudi Schoop, which was pre-
sented by William A. Albaugh of
Baltimore, last evening at the Ma
ticeal Theater. Is labeled simply
Comic Ballet" The title does not
awaken especial interest, nor does it
describe fully the charm of this unique
dance idea. 1t is difficult to present
comedy in any form, and still more
so in the dance, which has been re-
stricted more or less to the classic
formula. Miss Schoop has devised
something entirely new. and by reason
of her artistry, q dance recital that
makes history.
There was, first Of all. q constant
flow Of clever ideas in the registra-
ton Of the obServances of daily hap
penings. The amusing angle, Of
course, predominated, but underlying
each was a vein of pathos. not too
strongly stressed, but impressing itself,
nevertheless, upon the audience in
the midst of its laughter. Gentle
ridicule abourds In each Of the
dances, but the kind that proyokes
responsive mirth without malice.
Miss Schoop has been particularly
happy in finding sufficient number
of dancers who have an inborn feeling
for comedy. The amusing stories
move along with complete conviction,
because the feeling is true and spon-
taneous, and not made.
The first part of the program was
concerned with Want Ads" with a
prelude showing the dancers reading
the daily papers with different re-
actions. The Interpretation Of each
'ad" took place against a dark back
ground, unrelieved by scenic effects.
Not until the story was completed
did one know the character of the
lad" which was recited by one Of the
dancers as it would appear in the
newspaper.
The second part of the program
concerned itself exclusively with the
experiences of "Fridolin," who goes
ION the road" to learn life. The role
of Fridolin was taken by Miss Schoop,
who has gained the title of the
Charlie Chaplin of the Dance" by
reason OF the pathetic color which is
sharply presented in. this delightful
comedy Characterization.
Several priceless moments, stand
out In this story, notably the Group
Of Active Gymnasts," the Head Of
the Sect" taken by Werner Herr
mann, the Mother -in-Law" Of Edith
Garcia, the "Father-in-Law" Of Otto
Ulbricht, the Members of the Bowl
ing Club" the "Topedo Acrobats" and
the "Enraged Relatives"
Underlying the interpretive ideas
is q finely developed dance technique,
which prevents the presentation from
ever reaching the grotesque. Individ-
ual. dancers who aided Miss Schoop
In expert fashion were Gitta Waller
stein In "For Sale, Bridal Gown,
Never Worn," Ellen Lily in Through
Unforeseen Circumstances - Foreign
Language Secretary Speaking -Four
Languages Seeks Situation Preferably
Abroad" Meta Krahn in WELL
Trained Highly Musical Danseuse
Accidentally Still Engaged" Miss
Schoop in Wanted. Immediately,
Leading Chanteuse for First Glass
Establishment" in which she Is the
"chanteuse," killed after the singing
of q song, was recalled again and
again by the delighted audience.
It Is to be hoped that this Unusual
group will return again, that more
people may have the enjoyment OF
seeing them. Not only Is one salts
fed artistically by the quality Of the
work, but one Is grateful for the
many occasions to laugh ones fili ct
their nonsense. A. y.