Nijinsky was the greatest male dancer of the era. His active career was short, his life was tragic, and he only composed four ballets — but this does not diminish the hefty influence that his presence as a dancer and choreographer had over the art of ballet. 

 

Vaslav Nijinsky is known to many as merely the dancer who went mad, but his impact goes beyond this. His private diary, which was edited by his wife, reveals a deeper, more traumatic story. Born in late 19th century Russia, Nikinsky was introduced to dance early on through his parents. His huge talent was evident and recognised, causing a stir amongst audiences whenever he performed. He became the star male dancer for Sergei Diaghilev’s ‘Ballets Russes’, and his dancing career took off. 

 

Diaghilev and Nijinsky fell in love, and with their collaboration, they caused great controversy between those who adored and detested their new style of ballet. Heavily flirtatious scenes and homoerotic interactions bewildered the conservative audiences, but proved how ahead of their time the duo truly were. 

 

Romance came to a close when Nijinsky married Hungarian, Romola de Pulszky, on a tour. After failed attempts of establishing a new company and the stresses of managing personal tours, Nijinsky became increasingly mentally unstable. Schizophrenia had infested his mind, and the world lost a pioneer of dance.