"Actor: Merrill Ashley"

• The Video Dictionary Of Classical Ballet | DVD | (05/03/2007) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £22.99

  The is an essential visual reference of all classical ballet movements performed by some of the greatest names in Ballet. Teachers and students will find this the most innovative and dynamic tool ever developed for learning and studying the movements of ballet. 4 1/2 hours on two DVDs this set includes over 800 variations in Russian French and Cecchetti styles. Many of the movements are shown in slow motion with multiple camera angles and voice-over narrative description. This programme demonstrates the complete language of ballet: Positions and Directions Barre Linking Steps Center Practice Pirouettes Adage Allegro Batterie Pointe Musical Enchainements. For easy reference a printed index of all the movements and variations performed is included. This comprehensive guide features four of the most outstanding figures in American Ballet: Kevin McKenzie (Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre former principal dancer ABT) Georgina Parkinson (Ballet Mistress of ABT; former principal dancer The Royal Ballet) Merrill Ashley (former principal dancer New York City Ballet) and Denise Jackson (former principal dancer The Joffrey Ballet).

• Dancing for Mr B: Six Balanchine Ballerinas | DVD | (25/08/2008) from £12.13   |  Saving you £2.86 (19.10%)   |  RRP £14.99

  This documentary celebrates six of legendary choreographer George Balanchine's ballerinas Mary Ellen Moylan Maria Tallchief Melissa Hayden Allegra Kent Merrill Ashley and Darci Kistler and shows them keeping alive the ballets and the inspiration they learned from him. For all of them Balanchine was the single most powerful influence in their lives. This film creates a composite portrait of being a dancer of being a Balanchine dancer and shows how the lives of Balanchine and these six ballerinas touched each other in indelible ways during a unique period. He nurtured and made each of them and many others more beautiful as dancers than they would have imagined possible and they in turn inspired him in many different ways to create his remarkable range of superb ballets.