A Dancer in Wartime: The touching true story of a young girl's journey from the Blitz to the Bright Lights

(Paperback)

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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.

Reviews

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 beautiful tale of heartbreak, talent, determination and star quality * Daily Mail *
Wonderfully nostalgic and magical * Easy Living *
A charming and affecting memoir * Sunday Express, Books of the Year *
An extraordinary tale -- Sarah Crompton * Daily Telegraph *

Author Bio

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, the Lilac Fairy in The Sleeping Beauty 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 Royal Shakespeare Company, the English National Opera and The Muppets. She continues to produce television, film and stage productions and lives in London. A Dancer in Wartime was shortlisted for the Society for Theatre Research's Theatre Book Prize.