Library News

FDI and CDE Dance Genre

In the Autumn 2006 DANCE magazine, I suggested that Gillian Lynne would be a rewarding and very worthwhile study for those students searching for a different subject for their Modern Theatre essay.

Paddy Hurlings has written a most interesting article published in the February 2007 Dancing Times, covering all aspects of Tap Dancing, including its roots, history, books, films, stage shows and events. She also gives a list of famous exponents of the genre, and I would like to add one more name to the list for your consideration.

Paul Draper
1909 – 1996

Once described as ‘the Horowitz of Tap’, he blended Tap with Classical Ballet, resulting in his own unique and completely original art form that has never been duplicated.

The ISTD Congress of 1951 was ‘star-studded’. Cecchetti Day had Peggy van Praagh, John Cranko, Lydia Sokolova, Tamara Karsavina. For Ballroom, amongst others, there was Phyllis Haylor, Alex Moore and Josephine Bradley. On the first day of the Stage Branch, Bert Stimmel, Mary Skeaping, Zelia Raye – and then Paul Draper.

The entry in the ISTD Dance Journal for September 1951 read:

‘And then – Paul Draper! The success of the ‘Cabaret’ at the Eve of Congress Dinner. Mr Draper was so pleased at the reception accorded him that he expressed a desire to come to the Stage Branch Technical School of the Society. A tremendous audience welcomed him and showed in the most enthusiastic manner how they appreciated his art and delightful gesture in giving a class to the members.

His work was electrifying – and one can only repeat the words of Arthur Franks, that “Paul Draper used taps like the dropping of pins to the rattle of machine guns.” I have never heard in the ‘Imperial’ such prolonged applause for an artiste; but how he deserved everything that was accorded.

Everyone in the audience was excited – I have never seen Zelia Raye so emotionally moved – yet she was only one of many in the same state. Paul Draper’s appearance was certainly a coup for the Stage Branch, and all congratulations go to those responsible – although, in fairness, one must remember that Mr Beaumont first contacted him.’

There is a file of information on Mr Draper in the ISTD Library, if anyone is looking for a start to their research.

 

Latest Acquisitions

Imperial Dancer’ By Coryne Hall Published in the UK by Sutton Publishing Ltd 2005

This traces the story of Mathilde Kschessinska and the Romanovs. She was the first Russian Ballerina assoluta, and her association with Tsar Nicholas II ensured her stage success, but this link with the Romanov family also led to her loss of wealth and exile to France. Myths and legends abound, but there is a link to our Margot Fonteyn and the book makes an informative and entertaining read.

 

Donations

‘Cyril W. Beaumont – Dance Writer and Publisher’ By Katherine Sorley Walker Published by Dance Books 2006 £12.50 ISBN 1-85273-110-9

Last month, a slim volume ended up on my desk, and for one moment, its appearance gave me quite a shock. If I had not known that the gentleman in question had died many years earlier in 1976, I would have thought that this was his latest publication, and the appearance and presentation would have pleased him greatly.

I am so pleased we now have this book in our Library, as there are so many wonderful volumes that have Cyril W. Beaumont as author and/or publisher, but none actually about him.

There is a good review of the book by Helena Hammond in the February Dancing Times, so for now, I would like just to record the debt owed to him by the ISTD and the Cecchetti Society, during his long editorship of the Journal, and his influence as Chairman of the Society, becoming involved in the policy making and finding profitable ventures for the Society’s investments, all of which contributed of the status of the Society at the time, and also today.

On the wall at home I have a lovely print of Lydia Lopokova, signed by her and dated Russian Ballet 1921. This was for Cyril, and every time I look at it, I see a rather shy man, in a brown suit, reliably turning up at Congress, competitions, awards, lectures and his Charing Cross Road bookshop, always finding time to talk and give information and encouragement, and I find I am smiling!

I strongly recommend this publication, giving a wonderful insight into the dance world in Europe in the last century.

 

Library News is compiled and written by Mollie Webb FISTD ARAD