Morris, Margaret (1890–1981)

views updated

Morris, Margaret (1890–1981)

English theatrical dancer and choreographer. Born Mar 10, 1890, in London, England; died 1981.

Made performance debut as specialty dancer in Plymouth, England, in a Christmas pantomime; moved to London and performed in numerous Ben Greet productions, including Midsummer Night's Dream (1901); choreographed incidental dances for several shows such as Marie Brena's revival of Orpheus (1910) and Herbert Tree's Henry VIII (1911); opened 2 dance studios (1909, 1918); after retiring from performance career (1925), developed own movement theories, inspired by Duncan and Rudolf Steiner, and worked as dance therapist; founded Scotland's 1st professional dance company, the Celtic Ballet (1950s), based on natural movements (Margaret Morris Movement); helped inspire the modern dance movement.

See also Margaret Morris, My Life in Movement (1970).

More From encyclopedia.com