Jack Carter was a dancer and choreographer who was born in 1917. He was the creator of The Witch Boy which is a ballet in one act with three scenes. Who Was Jack Carter? Jack Carter was born in 1917 in Shrivenham into a farming family, and his experience as a dancer and choreographer was … Read more
So what is contemporary dancing and how did it come about? Let’s explore this misunderstood dance form a little more. Contemporary dance is a genre that’s tricky to define but thrilling to experience. It breaks the mold set by classical ballet and even modern dance, blending a variety of styles and techniques. You’ll see elements … Read more
Update: I have just heard the tragic news that Michaela DePrince has died at age 29. Such a sad loss and may she rest in peace. She was an inspiration and a beacon of hope to so many people and her life was one defined by grace, purpose, and strength. Hope in a Ballet Shoe … Read more
I always enjoy researching and finding out the history of dance and Marius Petipa (1818 – 1910) and The Imperial Russian Ballet come up so often in my reading that I thought that it only fitting to write a bit about him. Marius Petipa is the colossus of nineteenth-century ballet. Other choreographers may well have … Read more
Let’s take a look at the life of Walter Gore and Street Games which was his best-known pieces of choreography. So who was Walter Gore? He was the choreographer of Street Games which was a one-act Ballet. Walter Gore was also one of the first male dancers to make a reputation at Marie Rambert’s Ballet … Read more
Andrée Howard was born in 1910. She was a pupil of Marie Rambert and also studied with the great Russian teachers in Paris; she spent a short time in the de Basil company and danced in early performances of Massine’s Les Presages and made her first attempt at choreography in 1933. Returning to London and … Read more
Shadowplay ballet is a one-act ballet that was choreographed by Tudor and first performed on the 25th of January 1967 at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. The music was by Charles Koechlin (Les Bandar-Log and La Course de Printemps). The scenery and costumes were designed by Michael Annals. What Was Shadowplay Ballet All … Read more
Dark Elegies is a ballet in two scenes. Tudor did the Libretto and the choreography and the music was composed by Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) to Cycle Kindertotenlieder (“Songs on the Death of Children”). Nadia Benoit did the scenery and costumes. The first Performance Cast to do this ballet were Peggy van Praagh, Maude Lloyd, Antony … Read more
You are probably wondering who Antony Tudor is, and why is there an article about him on this website for dancers. He was a major creative figure who exerted decisive influence on both sides of the Atlantic when it came to his choreographic skills, but sadly, very few of his ballets are still staged today. … Read more
Gary Burne, the famous male ballet dancer was born Algernon De Blois Hayes-Hill in 1932. Born in Rhodesia, now known as Zimbabwe, the famous male ballet dancer’s journey began at an early age, thanks to his grandmother. It was she who ignited the flame of passion within him, clandestinely whisking him away to Elaine Archibald’s … Read more