Modern dancing and dancers

The early twentieth century witnessed an unexpected surge in the art of dance, as scattered innovators across continents began to reinterpret movement with a fresh, airy spirit. This volume traces that revival, from the lingering echoes of ancient attitudes toward dance to the explosive rise of the modern ballet, offering readers a panoramic view of how tradition and experimentation collided. Richly illustrated with colour plates and black‑and‑white photographs, the book brings to life figures such as the celebrated Carmencita, the Russian virtuosos, and the daring high kickers who thrilled Parisian audiences.

Organised as a series of concise chapters, the work surveys the heyday and subsequent decline of the classical ballet, the flamboyant skirt and serpentine dances, and the emergence of Oriental and Spanish styles that reshaped the stage. It also examines the revival of English folk forms like Morris dancing and looks ahead to the possible directions the discipline might take. Throughout, the author combines scholarly insight with vivid description, making the narrative both informative and a pleasure to listen to.