Ashley Killar's biography of John Cranko

[Lynette H]

This Cranko biography came out late last year, I think, and I've just finished it. Killar danced in the Stuttgart company under Cranko's directorship and his affection and admiration for John Cranko is evident.  It's not a hagiography though:  he's quite clear sighted about how some works didn't really succeed or didn't last.  It's very readable and engaging.  It also has quite extensive appendices including a detailed list of all his premieres and restagings including details of casts, designers, music etc.  I think these may be available on an associated web site  https://crankobiography.com/  which should be a useful resource for researchers.  Recommended. 

 

 

 

 

[dirac]

Thanks for posting, Lynette H. I don't know if this is the first Cranko biography but a new book is welcome either way.

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It also has quite extensive appendices including a detailed list of all his premieres and restagings including details of casts, designers, music etc. 

That's great. It's a pet peeve of mine when biographies of dancers and choreographers don't provide those details.

[Mashinka]

 

18 hours ago, dirac said:

I don't know if this is the first Cranko biography

John Percival wrote a biography of John Cranko entitled Theatre in my Blood about ten years after Cranko's death.