Promotional Information

An accessible and engaging biography of a colourful, charismatic woman whose story has never been told May 2009 is the centenary of the hundredth anniversary of the Ballet Russes first performance and the Royal Ballet will be celebrating this in various ways The V&A are also planning a Diaghilev exhibition Full of surprising encounters: Lydia and Picasso, Lydia and Stravinsky, Lydia and Virginia Woolf and Lydia and Maynard Keynes' unconventional sex life! 'Mackrell's enthralling biography restores Lydia Lopokova to her rightful position centre-stage' Daily Mail 'BLOOMSBURY BALLERINA is a compelling account of the extraordinary life and times of an unforgettable woman. Mackrell is to be congratulated' Literary Review 'Mackrell shows us exactly what made Lopokova one the last century's "true originals"' Sunday Times 'Judith Mackrell is brilliant at making the reader see why Lopokova matters' Guardian 'How shrewd and kind of Mackrell to extricate Lopokova from so many decades as the snubbed alien in Bloomsbury footnotes' New Statesman 'Mackrell's unfailingly vivacious and scholarly biography pays splendid tribute' Sunday Telegraph

About the Author

Judith Mackrell is a writer and dance critic for the Guardian. She lives in London with her husband and two sons.

Reviews

Judith Mackrell has used her resources to rescue the ballerina from an undeserved obscurity - CONTEMPORARY REVIEWIn this lovingly crafted biography, Judith Mackrell restores to life a colourful bohemian character... a warm memorial to an almost-forgotten star - OBSERVERMackrell captures the fizz of Lopokova's personality, her lovability, and makes her come alive. - LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS - Alison Lighta superb new biography...Mackrell, with her insider's knowledge of ballet and theatre, lovingly recreates Lydia's many worlds - GAY & LESBIAN REVIEWThorough and absorbing - GOOD BOOK GUIDE