Domy Reiter Soffer's latest creation Symphonette Premiered at the Bat Dor Dance Company, could hardly have been a more joy-filled choice for the company's 20th Anniversary programme. Morton Gould's Symphonette hence the name is based on Latin American dance Rhythms in a series at which he was especially good, and the choreographer has used those Rhythms and that symphonic form to suit his own purposes, in his own style, which was most successful.
When the tempo was Tango, the pulse and swing were the real thing- but the invention was the choreographer's. As for the Rumba-Samba, there was no mistaking the genuine throb in the dancing limbs, shoulders and hips. And so also with guaracha and conga-and whatever, all witty, sexy and smart. For the rumba Samba, the women wore black panties and glittering jet tops with little bustles of varies colours made up of petals of material.
For a few moments, they also wore Carmen Miranda Head gear. For the Tango, they put on slick skirts slit to the thigh, and for the conga, frills shaped from tail to crotch. The men were in Latin type blouses split to the red cummerbund, and black trousers.
Everyone and everything looked glamorous-the women fetching, the men molto macho, and all dancing with verve and sophistication that made this work exciting and enjoyable, a wonderful recipe for sending the audience home happy.
Dora Sowden- The Jerusalem Post