The author, Globe and Mail feature writer and dance critic, Deirdre Kelly discusses her new book Ballerina: Sex, Scandal and Suffering Behind the Symbol of Perfection (Greystone, 2012), with Joseph Planta.

Ballerina: Sex, Scandal and Suffering Behind the Symbol of Perfection by Deirdre Kelly (Greystone, 2012). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Ballerina

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver at TheCommentary.ca.

The noted journalist and critic Deirdre Kelly joins me again. She has just written a new book Ballerina: Sex, Scandal and Suffering Behind the Symbol of Perfection. It exposes the reality behind the myths surrounding ballet, and gives us a peek behind the curtain to show us a far less glamorous life led by its dancers. Ballet and dance has fascinated many for a long time now, there was Billy Elliot sometime in the last decade, and it’s continued with films like Black Swan, as well as television shows such as Bunheads and Breaking Pointe. There’s also Dancing with the Stars, which fuels television audiences interest. Deirdre Kelly is one of the leading critics on dance appearing in the Globe and Mail, Dance Magazine, and the Dance Gazette. She’s a feature writer at the Globe and Mail, and a contributor to the International Dictionary of Ballet and the website www.criticsatlarge.ca. www.deirdrekelly.com is her website. Her previous book, a really great memoir, Paris Times Eight was a bestseller. This current book is published by Greystone. She joins me from her home in Toronto this day. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Deirdre Kelly; Ms. Kelly, good morning.

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