Anthony Crickmay: A Life in Photographs

The first major monograph celebrating Anthony Crickmay's work, this collection shows how he transformed dance and theater photography into an art form of its own.

For over five decades, Anthony Crickmay was one of the most influential photographers of the performing arts, renowned for pictures that did more than document fleeting onstage moments. Through an extraordinary command of composition, lighting, and timing, Crickmay found ways to convey movement and dramatic tension with remarkable immediacy. 

This volume draws from the full breadth of Crickmay’s career and showcases his distinctive style, presenting iconic works from ballet, contemporary dance, opera, and theater alongside portraits and archival material that illuminate his creative development. 

Among the highlights are celebrated photographs of Lynn Seymour, Robert Solomon and Micha Bergese—works that transformed fleeting motion into lasting visual form—as well as memorable portrayals of performers such as Margot Fonteyn, Rudolf Nureyev, and Maria Callas, which reveal the individuality that made each a legend in the field. 

• Offers a comprehensive overview of Crickmay’s oeuvre and insights into his process
• Published in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum
• Written by curator Jane Pritchard, who knew Crickmay personally during his lifetime
• Sheds light on the most influential figures in contemporary dance and theatre
• Beautifully illustrated with more than 200 images

This book offers a fresh appreciation of a singular talent whose work continues to influence the visual language of dance and theater to this day.