Theatre Costume
1920s (made)
Dance boots worn by Alicia Markova as Polovtsian Girl in Mikhail Fokine's ballet Prince Igor when dancing with Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, mid-1920s. Footwear influences how a dancer moves and these boots were worn for lively character dances.
Fokine's Polovtsian Dances from the opera Prince Igor was the most frequently performed ballet in the repertoire of Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes being seen at a quarter of all performances and was the only ballet seen every year. Cyril Beaumont noted in his Diaghilev Ballet in London (1940) its 'stirring ferocity. There is no ballet...which so recaptures the thrill of warlike exercises.' Alicia Markova danced with the Ballets Russes 1925-1929 so these boots must have been acquired for her at this time. Dame Alicia gave a selection of her costumes to the V&A
Fokine's Polovtsian Dances from the opera Prince Igor was the most frequently performed ballet in the repertoire of Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes being seen at a quarter of all performances and was the only ballet seen every year. Cyril Beaumont noted in his Diaghilev Ballet in London (1940) its 'stirring ferocity. There is no ballet...which so recaptures the thrill of warlike exercises.' Alicia Markova danced with the Ballets Russes 1925-1929 so these boots must have been acquired for her at this time. Dame Alicia gave a selection of her costumes to the V&A
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts. (Some alternative part names are also shown below)
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| Materials and techniques | leather |
| Brief description | Dance boots worn by Alicia Markova as Polovtsian Girl in Mikhail Fokine's ballet Prince Igor when dancing with Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, mid-1920s |
| Physical description | Pair of brown leather boots decorated with colourful swirling patterns |
| Object history | Gift of Dame Alicia Markova who wore the boots in performance |
| Summary | Dance boots worn by Alicia Markova as Polovtsian Girl in Mikhail Fokine's ballet Prince Igor when dancing with Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, mid-1920s. Footwear influences how a dancer moves and these boots were worn for lively character dances. Fokine's Polovtsian Dances from the opera Prince Igor was the most frequently performed ballet in the repertoire of Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes being seen at a quarter of all performances and was the only ballet seen every year. Cyril Beaumont noted in his Diaghilev Ballet in London (1940) its 'stirring ferocity. There is no ballet...which so recaptures the thrill of warlike exercises.' Alicia Markova danced with the Ballets Russes 1925-1929 so these boots must have been acquired for her at this time. Dame Alicia gave a selection of her costumes to the V&A |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.655&A-1983 |
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| Record created | July 1, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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