Anglicization and Canonization of Ballroom Dance, Late 19th — Early 20th Century

Abstract

The purpose of this article. The purpose of the article is to determine the specifics of the evolutionary processes in the English dance style of the XX — early XXI century.
 The methodology is an organic set of basic research principles: objectivity, historicism, multifactority, systemacity, complexity, development and pluralism, and to achieve the goal, the following methods of scientific knowledge are used: problem­chronological, concrete historical, statistical, descriptive, logical­analytical.
 The results. The evolution of the English dance style took place through professionalization. Communication at the international level between teachers­choreographers, the popularization of dance competitions and tournaments, the development of a judging system formed not only the content of new ballroom dances, but also the manner of their performance. The English style of performance has become a model for the world dance society for many years. Foreign­born dances, which were fashionable among the general public, were transformed by the British dance society in the 1920s and 1930s to form the so­called “English style” of ballroom dancing. Consistently claiming that dance is an expression of national character, the country’s professional dancers and dance teachers have sought to create a British dance form that is distinct from foreign forms. It was the process of “Anglicization” of foreign ballroom dancing that became one of the most important elements of the national dance culture of Great Britain in the 1920s and 1930s. The original British school of ballroom dancing, the style and methods of which were popularized in European countries in the early 1930s, led to the development and standardization of requirements for the conduction of competitions and championships. Improving the national rating system, the English system of training and identifying the best performers of ballroom choreography for many decades of the XX century remained the only generally recognized dance school in the world. Now the UK remains a leader in the art of ballroom choreography in many of its aspects — from pedagogical methods of training high­class performers and choreographers to the media and tournament sphere.
 The topicality. An attempt has been made to research the topical issues of the development of the English dance style of the XX — early XXI century.
 The practical significance. The research may be used in developing lectures by specialists in choreography.