Ballet Black - ACE161.6

Curtained stage. Women’s VOs reading news items about how the company needs more support from official quarters Man’s VO quotes Pasuka on dance – continues over photos of dancers rehearsing outdoors – using "simple negro dances" as the basis for the ballets; no point work; rhythmic movement of hips head, and shoulders, etc. Rehearsal. Collage of stills from Cabaret 1920. Hands drumming; male VO gives background on Cabaret 1920, a ballet in two acts, set in Harlem during Prohibition. Second male VO talk about the improvisational nature of the ballets and what wonderful results they achieved. Rehearsal. Photos of musicians. Recorded voice (chairman of the Hot Club of Denmark) introduces three recordings made 27:01:1947 for the Hot Club’s record library, played by the African orchestra directed by Prince Kari-Kari. Music from that recording session.