John Bennett 
Offbeat Ballet 

Ballet is for some a passion, their love or obsession – a way of making a living perhaps. For others it is a pleasant evening out and for some it is what their hard-earned money is spent on for children to attend ballet classes. This book attempts to draw together the interesting facts – facts which are not widely known – and answers questions which might not have even been thought of. There is a medical perspective (the author is a surgeon) but with help from many experts the whole range of ballet (and much more) is explored. Offbeat Ballet encompasses the classical to modern ballet, other forms of dance, companies and their venues, ticketing, marketing. and the politics behind it. It strays into such territory as refreshments, clothing, fashion and even (in a removable adult section) delves into exotic topics such as lap dancing and its secrets.As someone who has devoted most of their life to ballet, I still found this book to be a very interesting read and the recounting by Dr Bennett of how ballet and the art of dance in general to this day remain a serious passion and inspiration in the lives of many people all around the world is truly heartwarming.Alexander Sergeev, First Soloist and Choreographer, Mariinsky Ballet (graduate of the Vaganova Ballet Academy)