Read a Q&A with Mary Li, author of Mary’s Last Dance

Mary Li is a former professional ballet dancer from Rockhampton who currently works as the ballet mistress for the Queensland Ballet, alongside her husband (and Artistic Director) Li Cunxin. During her performing career, Mary danced principal roles in all the major classical ballets, including Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet and The Nutcracker, as well as leading roles in contemporary ballets, some created especially for her. She has worked with legendary teachers, choreographers, artistic directors and artists, including Rudolf Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn and Ben Stevenson.

Today, Mary Li is on the blog to answer a few questions about her new memoir, Mary’s Last Dance. Read on …

Mary Li (Photo by Mikala Connor).

Tell us about your book, Mary’s Last Dance!

ML: It’s my story of growing up with an idyllic childhood with a large family in Central Queensland. I was taught classical ballet by an incredible teacher who instilled a love of the art in me. She pushed my parents to send me to London where I became a ballerina, and toured the world performing in productions in various roles. I met the love of my life when we danced together in Houston, and we went on to start a life together, that involved three children, moving back to Australia, and having a child with a disability.

What inspired you to write this book?

ML: People have been asking me for my side of the story since Mao’s Last Dancer was released, which was nearly 20 years ago – and with the encouragement of both my husband and daughter Sophie, I was ready to share my story. I also wanted to highlight Sophie’s story, as I felt it needed to be told.

This book is a kind of sequel to Mao’s Last Dancer, the memoir of your husband Li Cunxin. Did you read that book much or at all while you were writing Mary’s Last Dance or did you want to develop your own story independently?

ML: While I’m married to Li, and know his story intimately, I didn’t need to read Mao’s Last Dancer while writing my story. While our lives are very intertwined now, and have been for years, our stories are still quite separate. It’s remarkable the way things turn out – what are the odds of someone from rural China partnering a ballerina from Rockhampton on stage in Houston and falling in love?

Can you tell us about your favourite dance-related memory?

ML: It’s hard to pick just one – so many of them were dancing with Li, as he was such a wonderful partner. I danced with Kelvin Coe in Giselle, on stage in Perth – which was the first time I had danced in Australia as a principal. I adored being part of London Festival Ballet while Rudolf Nureyev was part of it, and we toured the world – it was such a joy to be part of.

What is the biggest challenge you faced while writing this book?

ML: Finishing it. The discipline required to hang in there and finish it – I couldn’t have done it without the encouragement of my family.

You’ve worked as a teacher for The Australian Ballet and for Queensland Ballet since retiring from the stage in 1992. What have you loved the most about this side of ballet?

ML: I love the communication I have with the dancers, above all else. People were so generous in teaching me and passing on their knowledge and passion to me – my aim is to do the same, and share with the dancers the love I have for ballet, and hopefully one day they will do the same in turn, and we can continue to preserve this beautiful art form.

Ballet is a form of storytelling, as is writing. How did you find the creative process of writing compared to dancing?

ML: It was incredibly difficult – I like to move to music, and not sit with pen and paper! The act of writing is such a solitary journey, and that’s not what I am used to. It was sometimes difficult to relive memories, but it was also wonderful – it was certainly a rollercoaster, and I was fortunate both Sophie and Li were there to encourage me to keep writing.

If you could tell your younger self anything, what would you say?

ML: Two things in particular – Be less critical, and really savour the really great moments. I think with ballet it is a lot about achieving the next goal, and you don’t always savour the really great moments that have happened, and there can be so many of those in life.

What do you hope readers discover in Mary’s Last Dance?

ML: I hope people discover many things – from the joy of my Australian childhood and upbringing, to be inspired by following your passion and dream. I also want people to really feel the powers that love and family can bring to you, and to gain more knowledge about what it’s like to live with a child with a disability.

And finally, what’s up next for you?

ML: Lots for Queensland Ballet! We have a production of Giselle which will be shown on the Gold Coast, and our own creation 60 Dancers; 60 Stories which has sold out at QPAC. And then I’ll enjoy Christmas with my family in Brisbane!

Thanks Mary!

—Mary’s Last Dance by Mary Li (Penguin Books Australia) is out now.

This book is part of our 2020 Christmas Gift Guide! You could win 1 Million Qantas Points when you order any product featured in our Christmas Gift Guide between 2 November and 14 December, 2020.*

*T&Cs apply

Mary's Last Dance

by Mary Li

Millions fell in love with Mao's Last Dancer. Finally here is Mary's story...

The highly anticipated memoir of Australian ballerina Mary Li – and the long-awaited sequel to her husband Li Cunxin's bestselling memoir, Mao's Last Dancer. Mary’s Last Dance is a powerful and uplifting memoir about chasing an impossible dream, and sacrificing one’s own ambition for the love of a child. It is a moving and unforgettable story of passion, dedication and devotion – and the highly anticipated sequel to one of the world’s most beloved books...

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