Cranko: The Man and his Choreography Book

This outstanding book on the life and choreography of John Cranko who died tragically so young has been long in gestation - the result of exemplary exhaustive research that includes firsthand experience of Cranko at work as director of The Stuttgart Ballet. The book's author is a choreographer, former Royal Ballet dancer and a member of Stuttgart Ballet under Cranko. I particularly appreciated the historicisation of Cranko's life, both public and private, his work and wider social circle, a rare feat in such writing and I suspect in the ballet literature.
The book is packed with photographs, remarkable facts, and narrative insights and the author brings a magical touch to the writing that keeps the reader engaged throughout. The appendices are invaluable: they include a catalogue of Cranko's complete works (1944-1973) that are unusually contextualised in historical events, together with the music and the cast lists. There is also an appendix devoted to some of Cranko's letters that illuminate the creative process, his own persona and the difficulties he faced in his life; some of Cranko's own writing from the programmes for his productions; and an appendix on the subsequent history of The Stuttgart Ballet. I have no doubt this book will stand the test of time and will be considered the foundational source on Cranko's work and life. I cannot commend this book more highly.

Cranko died far too young. What he achieved in his short life in terms of choreography was extraordinary. I loved this biography and have placed it in its rightful place on my book shelf next to Kavanagh's biography of Ashton and Parry's of MacMillan. It is beautifully written and an absolutely essential read for any lover of ballet.