Miss Mabel Sylvester.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 294, 4 May 1889, Page 2

Miss Mabel Sylvester.

THE CHAMPION LADY SKATER OF THE WORLD.

Those who patronised the City Rink last night witnessed a brilliant exhibition, of the merit of which they had previously formed no conception, even after reading the excellent reports which preceded Miss Sylvester. From the time she began her astonishing performances until their completion there was a continual round of applause, and the most cynical onlooker went away highly delighted. As the programme was much the same (with the exception of tha ‘ masher dude ’) as that given by Miss Sylverater prior to her departure from Auckland, we cannot do better than reproduce the report which appeared in tha columns of the Star: Last evening, in the Columbia Elite Skating Rink, Miss Mabel Sylvester, the champion lady skater in the world, gave her final roller skating exhibition in Auckland, the occasion being her benefit, There was a very large attendance of spectators, and the various graceful and fancy evolutions of the 11 queen of skaters ” on the rollers were very greatly admired and appreciated. Shortly after 9 o’clock she skated on to the floor of the rink attired in a handsome piquant fancy costume of maroon plush and light blue satin trimmed with lace, and to the lively music of the 11 Stranger ’’ March, the 11 Light and Shade ” waltz end the “ Sunbeam ” galop, performed a series of the moat graceful, rhythmic, and artistic movements on the wheels, all accomplished with the greatest of ease and nonchalance, and seemingly without the least effort. The most difficult pas were executed with a neatness, precision and ease that is unequalled by any other skater, certainly by none that have ever visited these colonies previously. Long practice, as well as great natural aptitude, have enabled Miss Mabel Sylvester to achieve almost complete perfection in the art of skating, which is now raised to the dignity of a science. There is an absence of all appearance of muscular exertion about her movements, which seem the mere act of volition ;no propelling power is apparent. She shoots like a meteor on to the floor, round which she circles like a bird on the wing, illustrating to its fullest extent the poetry of motion. She waltzes, pirowettess polkas, and floats round the rink, first on heels, then on her toes, occasionally making the circuit on one dainty foot, the impetus being apparently supplied by the graceful undulations of her body. Amongst the pretty gyrations of the lady were what are known as the “flat foot scissors,” “toe scissors,” “inside edge scissors,” (plain), toe and heel scissors (combined), inside edge scissors on toes, inside edge on heels, scissors and grapevine (combined), on toes, with plain turn; scissors and grapevine (combined), with inner edge ; picking up handkerchief while on heels, same while on one foot; heel grapevine and turn, breakneck promenade forward and backward with turn ; imitations of a railway train in motion; cross roll backward on toes, cross roll forward on heels, toe locomotive, breakneck locomotive, one, two, and three turns forward and backward, flying three on one foot, toe waltz and turn, spinning on toes and heels, and other feats. Every position in the various intricate movements was a picture, and when Miss Sylvester concluded her perfoimance she was accorded very loud applause by the onlookers. After a short interval she appeared on the floor again, intending to impersonate the fearful and wonderful evolutions of a “masher dude” on skates. Owing to the nou-arrival of the Sydney steamer yesterday morning, at expected, aha was unable to perform her promised novel exhibition on the forewheels only of skates, a single pair cut in two, and the two front rollers only used. This display is exceedingly clever and interesting, and she is the only rinkist in the world who can give a sustained performance on the half-skates.

Miss Sylvester appears at the City Rink this afternoon, and again to-night, when there is certain to be crowded houses; Her equal has not been previously dreamt of in Gisborne, and there is no hesitation in recommending anyone to go and see the performance.