The Male Dancer: Bodies, Spectacle, Sexualities

The Male Dancer, a seminal book on the performance of masculinities in twentieth-century modernist and contemporary choreography, has been revised and enlarged in its third edition. Ramsay Burt offers close readings of dance works from key moments of social and political change, arguing that prejudices against male dancers are rooted in our ideas about the male body and behavior. The book includes analysis of works by canonical figures as well as lesser-known figures and choreographers who have recently emerged internationally. It is essential reading for anyone interested in dance and the cultural representation of gender.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 25 February 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This revised third edition of The Male Dancer, a seminal book that has established itself as the definitive study of the performance of masculinities in twentieth-century modernist and contemporary choreography, has been expanded and updated. In this authoritative and engaging study, Ramsay Burt offers close readings of dance works from pivotal moments of social and political change in the norms surrounding gender and sexuality. Building upon his argument that prejudices against male dancers are rooted in our ideas about the male body and behavior, the book now incorporates recent interdisciplinary discussions about whiteness, intersectionality, disability studies, and female masculinities. By examining works by canonical figures such as Nijinsky, Graham, Cunningham, and Bausch, as well as lesser-known figures like Michio Ito and Eleo Pomare, and choreographers who have recently emerged internationally like Germaine Acogny and Trajal Harrell, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of the male dancer's role in contemporary choreography. The Male Dancer has proven to be an essential resource for anyone interested in dance and the cultural representation of gender. Through its reflection on the latest studies in theory, performance, and practice, Burt has thoroughly updated this important book to include dance works from the past ten years and has ensured its relevance for the 2020s.

Weight: 378g
Dimension: 153 x 233 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367748647