Ballet

Why was posture important to the early French dancers? Who developed the five ballet positions? How many pairs of ballet shoes can a dancer wear out in a single performance? Ballet provides a detailed look at the development of ballet dancing from the earliest court dances to the political ballets of choreographers such as Paul Taylor and David Bintley today. The book looks at how the choreography and improvisation differ from other styles of dance, highlighting techniques specific to ballet. It also explores the part played by costumes, make-up and lighting, and offers advice on how to become a ballet dancer.