Description

In the early twentieth century, American ragtime and the Parisian tango fuelled a dancing craze in Britain. Public ballrooms were built throughout the country, providing a glamorous setting for dancing. The new English style, defined in the 1920s and followed by the films of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the 1930s, ensured that ballroom dancing continued to be the most popular British pastime until the 1960s, rivalled only by cinema.
This book explores the vibrant history of ballroom and Latin dancing: the dances, lavish venues, competitions and influential instructors. It also traces the decline of couple dancing and its resurgence in recent years with the hugely popular TV shows Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars.

Publisher Review

‘Have
you ever watched Strictly Come Dancing and wondered
about the history of ballroom and
Latin dancing? If so, Hilary French has
provided an authoritative and accessible introduction . . .
French’s richly detailed book is
thoroughly recommended for anyone intrigued by the social history of dancing.’ – BBC
History magazine

‘Fascinating . . . tells the history of dance from the very beginning . . .
an essential read. It explores the dances, lavish venues, competitions and
influential instructors. It also traces the decline of partner dancing and it
resurgence in recent years with the hugely popular TV shows,
Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the
Stars.’ – Dance News

‘This book is a MUST read for anyone curious and interested in the special
origins and developments of Ballroom & Latin American dancing.’ – Marcus
Hilton MBE. With Karen Hilton MBE nine
times World Professional Ballroom champion.

‘A fascinating book. Hilary French tells the history of dance from the very
beginning. I learnt a lot and found it immensely interesting and insightful.
If you are interested in dance and how we have got to where we are today,
this is an essential read. Enjoy!’ – Matthew Cutler, British, UK and World’s
Latin champion, Strictly Come Dancing champion and owner, Matico Dance
Studio.

‘French’s fascinating people’s history of dancing is also a cultural
history of social space: those cathedral-sized palaces created to meet the
enormous demand for dancing at the turn of the twentieth century.’ – Morning
Star

‘Strictly fans will love Hilary French’s
Ballroom, a “people’s history” of dancing that tells how
American ragtime and Parisian tango fuelled a dancing craze in Britain in the
early part of the last century. The book also charts the emergence of Latin
dance, and the rise, fall and rise again of ballroom dancing.’ – Choice
Magazine, UK

‘Ballroom by Dr. Hilary French explores the vibrant
history of ballroom and Latin dancing: the dances, lavish venues,
competitions and influential instructors. It also traces the decline of
couple dancing and its resurgence in recent years with the hugely popular TV
shows Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the
Stars.’ – Miranda Melcher, New Books Network

‘French’s chronicle begins in the early twentieth century, when the
creation of public ballrooms in Britain opened ballroom dancing access to a
range of social classes. The author traces ballroom dance development and
examines the ten standard dances. She considers influences of the
architecture of ballrooms, clothing worn, music composed for the dances, and
various individuals and organizations supporting and regulating British ballroom
dance. Useful discussion of distinctions and dialogues between social and
competition approaches to the form is included. Also covered, briefly, are
the influences of television dance shows in the late 20th century and current
practices. Numerous photos, illustrations, and charts enhance the text.
Recommended.’ – Choice

‘Given the global popularity of Strictly Come Dancing
and spin-offs, and the renaissance of partner dancing, it is
amazing that no-one has written a cultural history of Ballroom
before. Hilary French’s pioneering book – written from the
perspective of someone who combines a deep commitment to ballroom dancing
with acknowledged expertise in design – combines social history, economics,
fashion, music, dance technique and architecture and
design in an engaging mix. At one level, this is the story of a very British
phenomenon influenced by Hollywood, Latin America and Europe. At another, it
is the story of a privileged pastime which morphed into working class
culture. At yet another, it celebrates couple dancing over the solo
variety. Ballroom has mapped out a rich area of study, and
it blends scholarship with infectious enthusiasm.’ – Professor Sir Christopher
Frayling, Cultural Historian, Broadcaster and Former Rector of the Royal
College of Art.