The Ballets Russes in England

The Ballets Russes in England (Radio 4) explored the special relationship between Diaghilev's company and London – they performed there more than any other city – and did so in admirably warts-and-all fashion. There were moments of glamour in Jane Pritchard's captivating account, though, such as a dancer recollecting the dashing, bejewelled audience in the city in 1911. She could barely concentrate on dancing, she said, thanks to the presence of Indian Rajahs, one of whom had a beard with "pearls and emeralds woven in". But we also heard about sweat. "In those days, dancers wouldn't have deodorants," Pritchard explained. A modern-day dresser went into all sorts of detail on odour. Hairdryers are now used on double-performance days to dry costumes. And once a garment starts to smell, there's no way back: "As soon as it warms up again, it starts to whiff again." The programme was full of rich pictures painted by Pritchard. She described some of the less-than-lovely venues the Ballets Russes performed at. Diaghilev was horrified to find his dancers on a music hall line-up that included Grock the clown and talented dogs. At another venue, there weren't enough dressing rooms for the troupe. "The extras changed at a nearby swimming baths," Pritchard said, "and walked along the street in costume."