Secret Muses - The Life of Frederick Ashton by Julie Kavanagh

$16.00 NZD

Category: Dance | Reading Level: very good

Sir Frederick Ashton, Britain's greatest choreographer, was a major figure on the cultural landscape of the twentieth century and his influence extended far beyond the world of dance. Julie Kavanagh traces Ashton's progress with a keen and sympathetic sense of both the man and his milieu. The drama of h is professional and private life - among his close associates were Constant Lambert, Benjamin Britten, W. B. Yeats, the Sitwells and Cecil Beaton - is skilfully interwoven with vivid descriptions of the ballets themselves. 'Not only the best biography of a ballet figure but, far more important, a Proustian recollection of that glamorous near-mythical time, the first half of our now setting century.' Gore Vidal ...Show more

Light Fantastic: Dance Floor Courtship in New Zealand by Georgina White

$20.00 NZD

Category: Dance | Reading Level: very good

SPECIAL PRICE Light fantastic: Dance floor courtship in New Zealand is a beautiful and evocative social history of public dance. From the first settlers' socials and Governor's balls to the formality of debutantes and the ritual of 'coming out', through sock hops and disco to dance raves, the story of p ublic dances is arranged thematically and chronologically, the culmination of two years' research. Highly visual, with photos and printed ephemera running throughout, it is based on the successful 2005 First Dance exhibition held at the National Library Gallery in Wellington, curated by the author. Designed to make the most of the vast array of illustrative material the book is incredibly beautiful, with enhanced production values and visual appeal. Like Thrift to Fantasy, text is organised into themes including invitations, preparation and dance lessons, dancehalls and decorations, codes of conduct (debutantes, proximity), wallflowers and belles of the ball, dance styles, mishaps and broken hearts. Each section will include true life dancehall anecdotes and stories, with extracts from letters, diaries and first person accounts, all lavishly illustrated with period photographs, exquisite dance cards, dance notices and advertisements. The dance cabarets of the 20s and 30s, tea dances for troops during the wars and the role of the public hall dances in rural society will all be covered in a wide-ranging and informative review of an enduring social tradition. First published May 2007. ...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

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 challenges 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

Nureyev by Peter Watson

$18.00 NZD

Category: Dance | Reading Level: very good