July 2023 MBR The Dance Shelf

The Dance Shelf

Ed Watson: A Different Dance
Sarah Crompton
Prestel Publishing
www.prestel.com
9783791379715, $55.00, HC, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Ed-Watson-Different-Sarah-Crompton/dp/3791379712

Synopsis: Ed Watson was a Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet for over 20 years. His was a unique talent; a widely celebrated collaborator in dance, photography and fashion.

With the publication of "Ed Watson: A Different Dance", each illustrated essay focuses on a distinct aspect of Watson's career and in which leading art critic Sarah Crompton discusses his trajectory from young student to principal dancer and coach with The Royal Ballet.

Of special note is the inclusion of Wayne McGregor's reflection on their long and fruitful collaboration, as well as longtime friend Charlotte MacMillan's lively conversation with the man himself -- while Gareth Pugh muses on the concept of duende.

"Ed Watson: A Different Dance" features dozens of images by leading photographers (including Rick Guest, Nick Knight, Anthony Crickmay, Kosmas Pavlos, Nadav Kander, Paul Smith, Laurence Ellis, Teddy Iborra Wicksteed, Liz Seagrove, Paul Grover, and Johan Persson) depicting images of Watson throughout his career, in rehearsal, on fashion shoots, in the dressing room, and in stills from his famed performances.

Together the words and images comprising "Ed Watson: A Different Dance" tell the story of a performer of extraordinary versatility, exceptional physicality, and a profound artistic sensibility. There is a website dedicated to Ed Watson at https://www.edwatsonofficial.com

Critique: Of special appeal to readers with an interest in classical dance, modern dance, and dance criticism/history, this large format, hardcover, strikingly illustrated, and exceptionally informative edition of "Ed Watson: A Different Dance" from Prestel Publishing is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university library American Biography and Dance History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Sarah Crompton is Arts Editor in Chief for the Daily Telegraph, London, a theater critic for Whatsonstage, and a journalist and broadcaster on all things cultural for publications including The Guardian, The Sunday Times (London) and Vogue.

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