MEDIATHEK

This book is a unique collaboration between three expert ballet historians, and two leading British designers. It is not just a book on ballet, but an entertaining study of the history of ballet costume by acknowledged scholars of the periods covered. The first part, by Dr. Roy Strong, Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, describes costume for dancers in the 16th century French and Italian courts - extravagant and extraordinary entertainments devised for special festive occasions. The 18th and 19th centuries are examined by Ivor Guest, the celebrated ballet historian of this period. The trends of ballet design in the 20th century are described by Richard Buckle, definitive biographer of both Nijinsky and Diaghilev. Of special interest is the inclusion of two detailed interviews conducted by Alexander Schouvaloff, Curator of the Theatre Museum at the Victoria and Albert. The first is with Barry Kay, who has designed many ballets for the great European opera houses, notably Deutsch Oper, the Paris Opéra and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. In contrast, the second is with Liz da Costa, a young desinger who has designed a number of ballets for experimental dance companies such as the Ballet Rambert, Junction, Mantis and Extemporary. Source: Strong, Roy et. al. (1981): Designing for the Dancer. London: Elron Press, spine.