“Nothing prepared me for the depth of research and perception that Ashley has brought to his subject … above all the sheer readability of his book, which I believe will not only mark it out as the definitive record of Cranko and his ballets, but also make it widely read and enjoyed.”
from the Foreword by Sir David Bintley CBE, choreographer and director of Birmingham Royal Ballet 1995-2019
In a lifetime of reading biographies I have never once read one that so vividly paints such clarity defining portraits of a man’s genius – on all Arts related subjects – love affairs, wit and idiosyncrasies. Unlike many biographies (and auto-biographies) this is a real page turner. A superbly written book bringing alive a man and his life works……”
Sheila Chisholm, Cape Argus https://www.gate5.co.za/read/28252/qv/101117176/152521020/6997/p
You come to know the man through coming to know his works, not just by reading a list of titles but by experiencing the texture and timing of the choreographies. That’s skilful dance writing.
Jennifer Shennan in https://michellepotter.org/reviews/cranko-the-man-and-his-choreography-book-review/
“Bravo on such a great accomplishment. My deep congratulations…”
David Hallberg, director Australian Ballet
…Mesmerising!
Adrienne Sichel
“Questions about a life such as John Cranko’s cause us to ask where? when? with whom? how? and above all why? Ashley Killar’s book answers those questions, enabling the reader to ‘connect the dots’ of John’s short, industrious life in a very knowledgeable, personal and meticulously researched work. Ashley has written the book with care, passion and love!”
Reid Anderson, Intendant of Stuttgart Ballet 1996-2018
for more reviews see Rapt Reviews
CORRECTION
In mid September 2023 I received information that contradicts a paragraph contained in the first and second editions of Cranko the Man and his Choreography (page 299). The following indicates how that passage should have read:
Perhaps in anticipation of an influx of foreign dancers, the German members of the Stuttgart Ballet published in the newspaper Stuttgarter Nachrichten of 2 April, just before the company’s 1971 tour to the USA. It complained that ‘in what is perhaps the best-known German company, German dancers are dying out. In the Stuttgart ensemble of about fifty members there are exactly five female and five male [German] dancers.’ They were concerned that only three of those were in the corps de ballet members, pointing out that the training of potential professional dancers in Germany was inadequate. This was no nationalistic protest, rather a reasoned view that a good German full time ballet school (such as Cranko had long envisaged) was sorely needed.
I apologise for any hurt caused to the named dancers. Ashley Killar