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.
Royal Sibling Rifts
Syphilis
Teen Sex
Paganism & Festive Traditions
Santaphilia: Sexual Attraction to Santa
Sex Advice in the 20th Century
Alexander the Great's Sex Life
Trash
Rochester: The Restoration's Filthiest Poet with Neil Gaiman
Banned History
Sex Myths
Lady Chatterley’s Lover
The History of the Clitoris
Mussolini's Favourite Daughter
Tattoos
Heartthrobs
Hacks, Hitler & the Hotel Imperial
Sex in Ancient China
Indecent Exposure
Gothic Fiction
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal
Gone Medieval
Not Just the Tudors
Empire
Real Dictators