2 March 2022 15:34
Remembering Clement Crisp...
It is with deep sadness that we learn today of the death of Clement Crisp at the age of 90.
Clement Crisp, who was often referred to as ‘the world’s best known dance critic’ was the Financial Times’ dance critic for more than 60 years. During that period, he chronicled performances from many of the greatest dancers to grace the stage, in all corners of the world. He was also an accomplished author, publishing numerous books on ballet.
Clement was also very closely connected to the RAD. In 1967 he was appointed as ‘Honorary Librarian Archivist’ and, in the Dance Gazette of Spring 1969, spoke of his hopes of building an archive of national importance at the RAD's new Knightsbridge premises. Over the years he enriched the collections with donations of many books, journals, programmes and press cuttings, gathered in the course of his work as a journalist, author and critic.
In 1992, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award, the RAD’s highest honour, for services to dance.
Luke Rittner, Chief Executive of the RAD said: “The death of Clement Crisp brings to a close the career of one of the most distinguished dance writers of the 20th Century. Clement Crisp’s encyclopaedic knowledge of ballet, coupled with his superb command of the English language rendered him the acknowledged master of his craft.
As the Honorary Librarian of the RAD and an enthusiastic supporter of the Academy over many years, Clement’s death is a loss we all feel especially keenly.”