Whilst ballet is undoubtedly one of the most graceful and elegant art forms, it also has a long and dark history of sexual exploitation.
How did King Louis XIV's love of the ballet fundamentally change it? What was the patronage system and how did dancers use it to their advantage? And who were some of the female pioneers who embraced sexuality within the ballet?
Joining Kate today is Deirdre Kelly, author of Ballerina: Sex, Scandal and Suffering Behind the Symbol of Perfection, to find out more.
This podcast was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.
Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code BETWIXT sign up at https://historyhit/subscription/
You can take part in our listener survey here.
The Book That Changed Sex Forever
The Festive Fetish: Santaphilia
King Arthur's Sex Life
17th Century Sci-Fi Writer & 'It Girl': Margaret Cavendish
JFK Special 5. | The Kennedy Curse
The Invention of Heterosexuality
JFK Special 4. | How Jackie O Defined An Era
AIDS Epidemic: Life & Death On The Frontline
JFK Special 3. | The Sex Life of JFK
Section 28: The Anti-Gay Law That Sparked A Movement
Napoleon's Sex Life
Ancient Goddesses of Sex and War
JFK Special 2. | The Kennedy Sister They Tried To Hide
Love, Lust & Fighting in World War II
JFK Special 1. | The Irish Woman Who Built The Dynasty
Victorian Sex
History of the Witch
Josephine Baker: Jazz Age Superstar to WW2 Spy
History of Asexuality
Hitler's Sex Life
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal
Gone Medieval
Not Just the Tudors
Empire
Real Dictators