Incomparable Hester Santlow

Moira Goff researches, reconstructs and performs European theatre and ballroom dancing of the early eighteenth century. She is also a curator of rare books at the British Library, London, UK.

• Contents: Preface; The young dancer, 1694?-1709; Dancer and actress, 1709-1712; James Craggs; Theatre rivalries, 1713-1715; 'Dramatic entertainments of dancing', 1715-1719; Barton Booth; Business as usual, 1719-1723; Mimes and pantomimes, 1723-1728; 'The incomparable Mrs Booth', 1728-1733; 'Happy beyond expression', 1733-1773; Appendix: glossary of 18th-century dance terms; Bibliography; Index.

'Moira Goff makes the most of limited resources to offer a good account of Hester Santlow’s career. Her treatment of Santlow as an actress is convincing, and the dances come alive in her descriptions. One gets a real sense of the talented performer for whom they were written'. Judith Milhous, CUNY Graduate Center, USA ’... It exemplifies dance scholarship of a rare kind: Ms. Goff spent 20 years investigating even the slightest details of Santlow’s life and career and wrote about her dances from experience, step by step, and with feeling. ... the book’s detail is marvelous.’ New York Times ’Goff's research has been thorough and meticulous.... This is a book that will be of great value to academics and researchers...’ The Dancing Times ’This book is undoubtedly a result of the author's dedication and fascination with the charming theatrical figure of Hester Santlow.’ Theatre Survey 'The great strength of this book is the diligent recreation of many of the dances, music, and occasions on which they were performed, together with an account of Santlow's dancing masters and later partners. ... this is a book that combines learning with enthusiasm, is illustrated usefully, and makes one regret not having seen the dancer-actress herself.' Restoration and 18th Century Theatre Research