Bolshoi Confidential: Secrets of the Russian Ballet - from the Rule of the Tsars to the Age of Putin by Simon Morrison

$20.00 NZD

Category: Dance | Reading Level: near fine

On a freezing night in January 2013, an assailant hurled acid in the face of the artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet, Sergei Filin. The crime, organized by a lead soloist, dragged one of Russia's most illustrious institutions into scandal. Under Vladimir Putin, the Bolshoi Theatre has been called on to preserve Russia's lengthy artistic legacy and to mirror its neo-imperial ambitions. As renowned musicologist Simon Morrison shows in his tour-de-force account, the attack, and its torrid aftermath, underscored the importance of the Bolshoi to the art of ballet, to Russia, and to the world. With exclusive access to state archives and private sources, Morrison sweeps us through the history of the ballet, tracing the political ties that bind the institution to the varying Russian regimes, and detailing the birth of some of the best-loved ballets in the repertoire. From its disreputable beginnings in 1776, the Bolshoi became a point of pride for the tsarist empire after the defeat of Napoleon in 1812.After the revolution, Moscow was transformed into a global capital; meetings of the Communist Party were hosted at the Bolshoi, and the Soviet Union was signed into existence on its stage. Recently, a £450 million restoration has returned the Bolshoi to its former glory, even as prized talent has departed. The Theatre has been bombed, rigged with explosives and reinforced with cement. Its dancers have suffered unimaginable physical torment to climb the ranks. But, as Morrison reveals, the Bolshoi has transcended its own fraught history, surviving 250 years of artistic and political upheaval to define not only Russian culture but also ballet itself. ...Show more

Ballet & Modern Dance by Susan Au

$14.00 NZD

Category: Dance | Series: World of Art Ser. | Reading Level: very good

Traces the development of ballet, describes influential choreographers, dances, and dancers, and looks at modern trends in dance.

Matthew Bourne and His Adventures in Dance: Conversations with Alastair Macaulay by Matthew Bourne

$20.00 NZD

Category: Dance | Reading Level: very good

In 1987, a small, aspirant dance group with a striking name made its debut on the London fringe. In 1996, "Adventures in Motion Pictures" made history as the first modern dance company to open a production in London's West End. From this achievement, AMP sailed triumphantly to Broadway - winning three T ony Awards - guided by Artistic Director Matthew Bourne. Even before the inception of AMP, Bourne was fascinated by theatre, by characterization, and by the history of dance. In his early works - "Spitfire", "Town & Country" and "Deadly Serious" - Bourne brought a novel approach to dance. And in his reworkings of the classics of the ballet canon - "Nutcracker", "Swan Lake", "Cinderella" - Bourne created witty, vivid, poignant productions that received great acclaim. In the first decade of the new millennium, the company name was changed to New Adventures, and Bourne's 'classics', as well as Bourne's new works - "The Car Man", "Play Without Words", "Edward Scissorhands" and "Dorian Gray" - achieved levels of box-office popularity that have seldom, if ever, been matched in dance. In addition, his choreography for various musicals - "My Fair Lady", "Mary Poppins" and "Oliver!" - have run for years in the West End and on Broadway. The detail in which Bourne discusses his work with Alastair Macaulay is unprecedented. The two explore Bourne's upbringing, his training and influences, and his distinctive creative methods. Bourne's notebooks, his sources and his collaboration with dancers all from part of the discussion in this book. ...Show more

Touch Compass: Celebrating Integrated Dance by Michele Powles

$20.00 NZD

Category: Dance | Reading Level: Very Good

an exceptional dance company and this beautifully illustrated book celebrates and chronicles the first decade of the company's achievements. In Touch Compass, company members share their passion and the pleasure they get from dance, and offer intriguing insights into their dancing lives and the challeng es of integrated dance, expanding our perceptions of what dance is and who can be a dancer. The photographs soar and spring from the page, recalling wonderful moments in the theatre and joy that their dancing brings to others. ...Show more

The History of Morris Dancing 1458-1750 by Forrest, John

$25.00 NZD

Category: Dance | Reading Level: Very Good

The World of Serge Diaghilev by Charles Spencer; P. Dyer

$12.00 NZD

Category: Dance | Reading Level: very good

Nureyev by Peter Watson

$18.00 NZD

Category: Dance | Reading Level: very good

Raw Moves by James Houston

$35.00 NZD

Category: Photography | Reading Level: very good