BALLET
Ballets Negres. (Twentieth Century Theatre.) AT the Twentieth Century Theatre in Westbourne Grove, the Ballets Negres, under the directorship of Berto Pasuka, are holding a three weeks' season. As the programme points out, negro dancing, being the very antithesis of classical ballet, is'essentially a spontaneous and natural expression of the emotions of a primitive people, its steps,. gestures and mime following no firmly-laid pattern, but being to a great extent extempore. The " ballet " which is most faithful in character is therefore by far the best of-the evening. This is De Prophet, based upon the true story of a religious maniac in Jamaica who tried to fly to heaven. Throughout its four scenes the company sustains the suspense and pathos of the story to a most remarkable degree, working us into a frenzy with each convert, into rejoicing with each miracle, and finally plunging us into despair and pity as the poor demented old prophet—Berto Pasuka—flutters his " wings " for the last time. De Prophet seems to me to be a perfect example- of negro dancing translated into theatrical terms. LILI1AN BROWSE.
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