Ballet

by Cecil Beaton

Cecil Beaton's recollections of the ballet, set down in this sparkling personal memoir in his pungent and highly individual prose, comences when, as a boy during World War I, he admired the precision drill of the 'Palace Girls' in London. From then on much of Beaton's life and activities have centered on dances and dancing, and he has worked intimately - as designer, photographer, collaborator, and enthusiastic connoisseur - with all the great figurres of the ballet, Diaghileff, Lifar, Lopokova, Christian Berard, Balanchine, Markova, Margot Fonteyn, Frederick Ashton, Massine, all of whom are here deftly characterized. Over 100 of Beaton's superb photographs are included in this book - portraits of star dancers, close-ups, scenes of ballet in action, and scenes behind the scenes. In addition the text is embellished with dozens of drawings from his sketchbooks, and there is an enchanting title page.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1951

About the author

People noted sets and costumes of British photographer, diarist, and theatrical designer Cecil Walter Hardy Beaton for My Fair Lady on stage in 1956 and on film in 1964.

Cecil Beaton first styled his sisters decadently. His unique flair for elegance and fantasy led him to the most successful and influential portrait and fashion of the 20th century. From Adolf de Meyer, baron, and Edward Jean Steichen as sources of inspiration, he nevertheless developed all his own style. He worked for Vogue for more than a quarter-century and also as court official to the royal family in 1937. A constant innovator, Beaton worked for five decades to captivate some figures of his time from Edith Sitwell to the Rolling Stones, Greta Garbo, Jean Cocteau, and Marilyn Monroe.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_B...

Reviews

[Umi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fave drawing teacher in college told me within the first two weeks of the first class I took with him that I would love Cecil Beaton and at first I was like how dare you or anyone tell me what I would love and then I was like wait actually if this guy says I would love him I probably would. After wasting nearly eight years not loving Cecil Beaton, I happened upon this at the oxfam in Liverpool (whence, tbh, all good things come) and proceeded to delight in it. Charts Beaton’s love of the ballet from his childhood as an audience member to his career as a designer through reminiscences interspersed with sketches and photographs. Will now be tracking down the rest of his stuff and wishing I could befriend him, like, every day.

[Alyssa Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was unaware of this book by Beaton, best known for his My Fair Lady costumes and designs, until I came across it at a used bookstore. It's interesting to see him interacting with such stars in ballet's history and reflect upon productions that no longer exist. It's a rather quick read and I loved the drawings and photos included.