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Article: Willing to be thrilling: her skirt was transparent. Her midriff was bare. Canadian-born pioneer of modern dance Maud Allan scandalized Edwardian London. In more ways than one.
- Article from:
- The Beaver: Exploring Canada's History
- Article date:
- December 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Canada's National History Society. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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On Saturday evening, September 30, 1916, HRH Princess Patricia was among the audience at Ottawa's Russell Theatre for what had been advertised as the "Season's Social Event." Maud Allan, "The Great Symphonic Dancer," was to perform classic and oriental dances accompanied by her own orchestra, conducted by the Swiss musician Ernest Bloch.
According to a newspaper report, Maud was invited the next day to Rideau Hall, the governor general's residence, to dine with the Duke and Duchess of Connaught and their daughter, Princess Patricia. Connaught, third son of Queen Victoria, likely had paid several visits to London's Palace Theatre to see Maud Allan dance before the ...