to the economist and ballet enthusiast john maynard keynes lambert was perhaps the most brilliant man he had ever met; to de valois he was the greatest ballet conductor and advisor his country had ever had; to the composer denis apivor he was the most lovable, and most entertaining personality of the musical world; whilst to the dance critic clement crisp he was quite simply a musician of genius. but the respect of his peers could do nothing to help lambert escape from his demons.