The story of the splendidly unpredictable Russian dancer who ruffled the feathers of the Bloomsbury set and became the wife of John Maynard Keynes
Born in 1891 in St Petersburg, Lydia Lopokova lived a long and remarkable life. Her vivacious personality and the sheer force of her charm propelled her to the top of Diaghilev's Ballet Russes. Through a combination of luck, determination and talent, Lydia became a star in Paris, a vaudeville favourite in America, the toast of Britain and then married the world-renowned economist, and formerly homosexual, John Maynard Keynes.
Lydia's story links ballet and the Bloomsbury group, war, revolution and the economic policies of the super-powers. She was an immensely captivating, eccentric and irreverent personality: a bolter, a true bohemian and, eventually, an utterly devoted wife.
Judith Mackrell is a writer and Dance critic for the Guardian. She was the ghostwriter for Darcey Bussell's 'Life in Dance'. She lives in London with her husband and two sons.
Title: Bloomsbury Ballerina: Lydia Lopokova, Imperial Dancer and Mrs John Maynard Keynes
Author: Judith Mackrell
ISBN: 9780753825785
Binding:
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co
Publication Date: 2009-04-02
Number of Pages: 496
Weight: 0.3584 kg
Judith Mackrell has used her resources to rescue the ballerina from an undeserved obscurity * CONTEMPORARY REVIEW *
In this lovingly crafted biography, Judith Mackrell restores to life a colourful bohemian character... a warm memorial to an almost-forgotten star * OBSERVER *
Mackrell captures the fizz of Lopokova's personality, her lovability, and makes her come alive. -- Alison Light * LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS *
a superb new biography...Mackrell, with her insider's knowledge of ballet and theatre, lovingly recreates Lydia's many worlds * GAY & LESBIAN REVIEW *
Thorough and absorbing * GOOD BOOK GUIDE *