Critical Writing Index

All hail the returning Puritan: Charles Atlas's 1984 scripted doc of dancer Michael Clark captures London arts scene

by Susan Walker

The Toronto Star, Apr. 5, 2008

In 1984 artist Charles Atlas made a film about British dancer Michael Clark titled Hail to the New Puritan, which was subsequently released in 1986. The work has been restored and will screen as part of the 21st Images Festival. Walker writes about the process under which Atlas took to have the film made and later broadcast. The piece should be understood as part of a larger body of work concerning the documentation of dance. Atlas continues in the same vein of documenting performance, currently musical performances, using digital video rather than 16 mm.

ITEM 2008.088 – available for viewing in the Research Centre

Videos, Artworks and Artists Cited

Hail to the New PuritanCharles Atlas

The Legend of Leigh BoweryCharles Atlas

Blue Studio: Five SegmentsCharles Atlas