Ida Rubinstein (1885–1960): A Theatrical Life, by Michael de Cossart. Liverpool Historical Studies, no. 2. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 1987. 223 pp., illustrations. £11.50.

Abstract

The Baptist's head, 1885-1908 Russian ballets, 1909-1910 Saint Androgyne, 1910-1911 embodiments of love and death, 1911-1912 scented death, 1912-1914 hour-glasses and tear-bottles, 1914-1918 asps, orchids and frozen tears, 1919-1921 forbidden loves, 1922-1923 two courtesans and the idiot, 1923-1926 Orpheus and the empress, 1926-27 Cupid and the Spanish dancer, 1928 the kiss and the boy David, 1928 the waltz and the magic rose, 1928-1929 Amphion and the power of music, 1929-1931 seasonal bigamy, 1932-1934 royal mistress and Amazon Queen, 1934-1935 the wise virgins and the maid, 1935-1938 Lucifer and the gods of war, 1938-1940 death in Venice, 1940-1960.