Honorary Alumnus Publishes Book on Life with Legendary Performer Lindsay Kemp
Dr Kinny Gardner's new memoir offers a personal account of his 27 years performing with the influential dancer and choreographer Lindsay Kemp.
By George Tipton
••2 min read
AI
Generic image of an open book with handwritten notes and sketches on a wooden table.
Dr Kinny Gardner, an honorary alumnus of the University of Wolverhampton, has published a new book detailing his 27 years performing with the renowned dancer, mime artist, and choreographer Lindsay Kemp.
The book, titled We are the Monsters: On the road with Lindsay Kemp, draws on Gardner's memories as a principal guest solo artist with Kemp's company. The company toured internationally, performing in major opera houses and theatres.
Gardner, who is also an actor, singer, dancer, theatre teacher, and cabaret artist, served as Kemp's second leading man and lady. He performed in notable productions such as Flowers, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Big Parade, Cinderella: A Gothic Operetta, Variete, and The Last Dance of Elizabeth the First.
The memoir and homage recounts the creativity, eccentricity, hard work, and humour experienced within the Lindsay Kemp Company, highlighting the distinctive theatrical style shared by its performers worldwide. Kemp's influence extended to cultural figures like David Bowie and Kate Bush.
Gardner is uniquely permitted to restage a Kemp company work outside of Kemp's own company, having recreated Variete for Youth Music Theatre UK.
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"Lindsay and the company were an enormous part of my life, and this book is my opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary world we shared. It was a world of wonderful performers, unforgettable characters, hard work, laughter and creativity. We travelled together, performed together and created some remarkable theatre, and I wanted to capture something of that spirit and preserve those memories. Lindsay's influence reached far beyond the company itself, and I hope the book gives readers a sense of the person, the artist and the extraordinary creative family that surrounded him."
Neil Reading, Artistic Director of the Arena Theatre at the University of Wolverhampton, commented on Gardner's career and the book's significance.
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"Kinny has enjoyed a remarkable career in performance and has a wealth of stories from his years working alongside Lindsay Kemp. This book provides a personal window into an extraordinary period in British theatre and celebrates the creativity, originality and sheer theatricality that characterised Lindsay Kemp and his company. We are very proud of Kinny's association with the University and delighted to see those memories brought together in this new book."
We are the Monsters: On the road with Lindsay Kemp by Kinny Gardner is available in paperback.
