A Dancer in Wartime
  • Published: 16 January 2013
  • ISBN: 9780099555773
  • Imprint: Vintage
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 304
  • RRP: $32.99

A Dancer in Wartime

The touching true story of a young girl's journey from the Blitz to the Bright Lights

Formats & editions
EBook
8 Nov 2012
Paperback
16 Jan 2013
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An irresistible memoir about a young girl's hard-won path to success as a dancer during the Second World War

London during the Blitz was a time of hardship, heroism and hope.

For Gillian Lynne – a budding ballerina – it was also a time of great change as she was evacuated from war-torn London to a crumbling mansion, where dance classes took place in the faded ballroom.

Life was hard, but her talent and dedication shone through and an astonishing journey ensued, which saw Gillian dancing a triumphant debut in Swan Lake, performing in the West End with doodlebugs falling and touring a devastated Europe entertaining the troops.

A Dancer in Wartime paints a vivid and moving picture of what life was really like during the hard years of the Blitz and brings to life a lost world.
  • Published: 16 January 2013
  • ISBN: 9780099555773
  • Imprint: Vintage
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 304
  • RRP: $32.99
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About the author

Gillian Lynne

Gillian Lynne is a British ballerina, dancer, actor, theatre director, television director and choreographer, best known for her iconic choreography of Cats and The Phantom of the Opera. She was born in Bromley, Kent, in 1926. At the age of ten she won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dancing, after which she joined the Cone Ripman School before being selected to join Molly Lake's Ballet Guild and Ninette de Valois's Sadler's Wells. As part of what would soon become the Royal Ballet, she was renowned for her portrayal of the Black Queen in de Valois's Checkmate, Queen of the Wilis in Giselle and in roles created for her by Frederick Ashton and Robert Helpmann. Her film, television and stage credits include many long-running West End and Broadway shows, productions for the RSC and English National Opera and The Muppets. She continues to produce television, film and stage productions. In 2013 she received a Special Award at the Oliviers.

Praise for A Dancer in Wartime

Dance historians will be as charmed by this sidelight on dance as ambitious girls will be inspired by Lynne's description of the dancer's life as an amalgam of "the Impossible and the Spiritual all wrapped up with a ribbon of passion

Iain Finlayson, The Times

Wonderfully nostalgic and magical

Easy Living

From the Blitz to Sadler's Wells, this is a charming portrait of passion and dedication, set against the difficulties of war

Woman & Home

Sincere and unpretentious... She paints [...] a picture of austerity Britain in which ballet was a supremely glamorous career path.

Rupert Christiansen, Literary Review

A captivating story beautifully told ... and what an inspiration for anyone who dreams of a life on the stage

Cat Deeley

Gillian's journey through dance is a story of passion and devotion that should be read by everyone, not just dance lovers

Arlene Phillips

A charming and moving portrait of a wartime childhood and an extraordinary account of what it takes to make it on stage ... I couldn't put it down

Elaine Paige

An intriguing and moving account of a young girl's balletic ambitions during wartime. Wonderfully readable, spirited and honest

Derek Jacobi

A beautiful tale of heartbreak, talent, determination and star quality

Daily Mail

An extraordinary tale

Sarah Crompton, Daily Telegraph

A charming and affecting memoir

Sunday Express, Books of the Year

I loved this book ... her energy, enthusiasm and passion are present in every line, and her commitment to the theatre and her determination to excel make for a fascinating and thoroughly absorbing read.

Dame Monica Mason, Director of the Royal Ballet

This is a remarkable book which I read overnight. It's gripping, touching, eye-opening and pitch perfect about a period of time almost lost from view. Gillian Lynne's tenacity's palpable from the outset. Definitely one to savour and treasure.

Gloria Hunniford

In A Dancer in Wartime, Gillian Lynne canters through her amazing experiences like the thoroughbred she is

Sir Ian McKellen

A warm, affectionate portrait of the ballet world, and of success tinged with sadness

Sally Morris, Daily Mail

Thrilling

Lady