Men Dancing: Performers and Performances

by Alexander Bland, John Percival

Describes the careers and styles of outstanding dancers such as Mikhail Baryshnikov, Peter Martins, Rudolf Nureyev, and Edward Villella

176 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1987

Reviews

[Surreysmum · Rating 4 out of 5]

[These notes were made in 2004]. One of my most prized dance books, from the striking photo of Peter Schaufuss on the dustcover to the "special" sections on major dancers like Nureyev, Baryshnikov, and, yes, Fred Astaire, at the end. Entirely in black and white, this book is an unbeatable combination of beautiful men and beautiful dance photography.

[Notes added in 2026]. The book has an interesting structure: it starts with three subject-based essays, which are followed by a long section called "a century of talent" which essentially functions as a sort of "honourable mention" for 20th century dancers, both classical and film musical dancers (such as Kelly), although the emphasis remains firmly on the classical dance. Then the last section, as mentioned, comprises 3-4 pages of photo and text on each of the following: Gaetano Vestris, Auguste Vestris, Vaslav Nijinsky, Leonide Massine, Fred Astaire, Anton Dolin, Serge Lifar, Robert Helpmann, Antonio, Jean Babilee, Erik Bruhn, Edward Villella, Rudolf Nureyev, Vladimir Vasiliev, Anthony Dowell, Richard Cragun, Peter Martins, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Jorge Donn, Peter Schaufuss.