Margaret Morris – Dancing, Photographs by Fred Daniels
Whilst at home over xmas, I was browsing through the bookshelves for things of interest. My mum is a choreographer and has quite a few dance related books. This one caught my eye, mainly because of the beautiful photographs, but the typesetting is pretty nice too. It probably had a nice dust jacket originally but no sign of that now unfortunately. I can’t find a publication date in the book either, but it’s plainly somewhere in the 1920′s.
There’s some interesting stuff in the book about Margaret’s ideas on dance and health. She also talks about illuminated outdoor performances at night, which must have really been something to behold if these photographs are anything to go by.
She mentions in the preface that the photographer Fred Daniels was primarily a painter. I think that really comes across in his photographs.
Some further info on Margaret Morris.
yes the photos are beautiful aren’t they! I have a copy of the book myself (its rare). In 1910 Margaret Morris established a school to teach her system of dance and movement, Margaret Morris Movement (MMM). I wonder if your mum has connections with MMM?
This year is our centenary – and you can watch one of our performances, or visit an exhibition. There will be rare chances to enjoy performances of Margaret’s own choreography at our summer school at Chichester University in July and also at the Lilian Baylis Theatre, Sadlers Wells on 8 August. Visit our website: margaretmorrismovement.com for more info.
(A hundered years later dancers can still build their own future in dance and movement as a student of MMM. Our qualified teachers will help you to develop and flourish. You can even train as a teacher yourself. Our motto is “dance for all” – all ages and abilities are welcome to join a class!
Comment by Sarah Pearce — February 4, 2010 @ 2:01 pm
My mother, at school at St. Monica’s Kingsdown, Kent,in 1930′s always lamented that my sisters and I had no opportunity to “dance the Margaret Morris way”, she danced around the house and never lost her love of movement
Comment by carol jaye — April 20, 2010 @ 10:15 pm
I love these photographs. As it happens I was in the Fergusson Gallery in Perth the other day, watching old film of Margaret Morris dancing (she was the wife of J D Fergusson). Do you happen to know anything about the copyright of these photos? The reason is that I would like to use one of them as the springboard for some poetry. Have a look here: http://bookseeker.webs.com/poetryforapound.htm . Any information would be gratefully received.
Comment by Marie Marshall — June 4, 2010 @ 7:20 am
Exquisite photos. The one of the dancing in the woods looks like something from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Thanks for sharing.
Comment by Celebrity Dance — April 7, 2011 @ 10:11 pm