A Life in Ballet celebrates the life of Ray Barra who is perhaps one of the most beloved figures in the dance world. Barra helped to define the male dancer as not only the noble cavalier of classical ballet but also a forthright manly presence capable of macho, even unsympathetic behaviour. Victor Hughes explores Ray Barra's extensive career as a dancer, teacher, director and choreographer as he approaches his 90th birthday. From his early engagements with the San Francisco Ballet and American Ballet Theatre to his work with the Stuttgart ballet internationally and then later his retirement, Barra's achievements and contributions to the dance world are unparalleled. A torn Achilles' tendon brought an end to his dancing days, however, he remained part of the ballet scene by becoming ballet master with emerging choreographers such as Kenneth MacMillan in Berlin and John Neumeier in Frankfurt and Hamburg. His passion was the creation of his own ballets to which he has devoted himself with well-merited success.