|
| The
Bluffer's Guide to Ballet | | By
Craig Dodd | | | | Extracts
from the book | |
| | | Petrouchka
(sic) | | Spell
it how you like, was created in 1911 for Nijinsky. It provides a great central
role always cast from company stars, when in fact it can be more effectively danced
by a good character dancer. The Magician manipulates his puppets for the benefit
of the audience, but when the curtain comes down the dramas of the triangular
relationship of Petrouchka, Ballerina and Moor continue with tragic consequences.
Just like life in the average ballet company. |
| | | Director
come dancer | The
Artistic director is usually a choreographer or dancer either retired or, quite
often these days, still dancing. More often than not they are budding megalomaniacs
who listen to no-one, ruining careers at whim, often under the mistaken belief
they are helping them.
Bluffers should remember that the greatest artistic
director was Diaghilev who did not choreograph, dance, design or compose. Nowadays
companies cannot afford this luxury and actually expect some work from the director.
Other than acting like a god, they usually make ballets or, if they are still
dancing, hog the best roles for themselves. |
| | | From
tutu much to tutu little |
The rise of the ballerina is in direct proportion to the rise of her hemline.
Note that the first true ballerina was Marie de Camargo at the beginning of the
18th century, and that when she raised the hem of her hooped dress to show off
her nifty footwork, it was the first step in the upward rise of skirts, and therefore
ballet.
Dresses then shortened to the romantic tutu the short classical
tutu, painted body tights and eventually, in Nederlands Dans Theater's Mutations,
vanished altogether. | | |
| Sirens
of the stage | | Ballet
has been described as a dangerous art, very seductive and liable to arouse previously
hidden emotions. It must be faced, ballet is a physical business and, to put it
bluntly, sexual. Anyone who pretends they like a particular dancer purely for
their arabesque is talking tosh. Looks come into it too, and those who say otherwise
are being economical with the truth. A pretty face (on either sex) can make up
for lots of technical faults. A brilliant technician, if less than moderately
good looking, may have to battle the way to the top. |
| | | Reviews |
|
| | | Craig
Dodd has been an assiduous balletgoer all his adult life, has written many books
on the subject, his reviews have appeared in this magazine and the national press,
and he has worked as an agent/manager for dancers. All this makes him well for
qualified for the task, but even more so does his sense of humour and sharp wit.
Long time ballet lovers will find much to enjoy in this book, while it is essential
reading for every newcomer to the art who wishes to appear knowledgeable. |
|
Dancing Times | | |
| Another
in the excellent 'Bluffer's Guide' series which manages to combine satire with
information. The author, a critic and one-time agent for many ballet stars, has
an obvious depth of knowledge of and love for his subject. He presents his information
in the humorously offhand style which characterises these books. |
| Guernsey
Evening Press & Star | | |
| Everything
any good bluffer needs to know: ballet history, jargon, technical terms, and all
those quirky little tricks of the trade that will enable you to hold your own
among balletomanes. | | Sunderland
Echo | | |
| An
amazing amount of solid fact disguised as frivolous observation. |
| The
Sunday Telegraph | | |
| The
means to apparent instant erudition without having to know or study anything. |
| The
Daily Mail | | |
| Table
of Contents | |
| What
is Ballet? How
to Enjoy Ballet
Mime
Name-calling
Who's Who
The Real VIPs
How
to Translate a Ballet Review
Terrine
de Ballet (Potted History)
Ballet at Court
Bring on the Ballerina
Men on Stage
The
Romantic Era
Russian Revolt
Nijinskymania
Cocktail Time
A Dangerous
Obsession Ballet
Makers All-Time
Greats
Modern
Masters Names
to Drop Ballet
Companies
American
Ballet Theatre
Australian Ballet
Ballet de Marseille
Ballet Rambert
Basel/Basle
Ballet
Berlin Ballet
The Bolshoi
English National Ballet
The Kirov
London
City Ballet
National Ballet of Canada
Nederlands Dans Theater
New York
City Ballet
Nureyev and Friends
Paris Opera Ballet
The Royal Ballet
Royal
Danish Ballet
Royal New Zealand Ballet
Royal Swedish Ballet
Scottish
Ballet
Stuttgart Ballet Glossary
Characters
Ballet
Terms | | |
| |
|
Fortune
Telling
