For nearly thirty years Nureyev danced anywhere, everywhere, seemingly every night - his passion for performance was insatiable and he drove himself far harder than any maitre de ballet would have dared. In the end the continual work took its toll on his body and his technique, and the touring programmes of his final years as a dancer saddened many of his admirers. But it was inevitable: he was cut from whole cloth, and the will-power which kept him dancing then was the same will-power which had made him a dancer in the first place.
Was actually a closeted homosexual at a time when it was considered immoral and even illegal. His repression of his true nature forced him to keep his relationships shrouded in secrecy and made him a very hostile and angry man. He remained closeted all the way to his death.
Was not even thirty when he was being touted as "the greatest living male dancer."
He kept every single pair of ballet slippers he had ever owned. It was rumored that it was because he was superstitious, when in fact, it was merely sentimental value.
Initially, the producers of "The Muppet Show" (1976) had such difficulty casting guest stars that they had to call upon all their personal friends in the entertainment industry for help. This changed dramatically after Nureyev's guest appearance. The publicity of a renowned ballet dancer appearing on such a bizarre show created such positive publicity that the show became popular and soon celebrities were lining up to appear on the show. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0638159/bio
Got well established and famous after starring in Giselle with Margot Fonteyn. A very passionate man, determined, danced constantly and took pride in what he did. He worked so hard and pushed himself so much that it took toll on his body, and his final years of dancing saddened his audience.
ReplyDeleteHowever he carried on dancing at even this point which showed his willpower and determination.
At the time was a homosexual - but kept this cloed as at the time it was illegal. As he had to keep this on the low down he was in general an angry and secret man - all through his life he was a quite and closeted person.
He became the greatest living dancer* - before he was even 30 which showed how good h was.
He caused a public stir, when he appeared on the muppet show in 1976- which was bizzare as he was a ballet dancer appearing on this type of show. However it created such good publicity that it made other celebrities line up to appear on the show.