Apropos Isadora Duncan – Edward Craig Talks About . . . . May 31, 1952 – Past Daily Arts

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Oct 1

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- Edward Craig Reminiscences Of Isadora Duncan - May 31, 1952 - BBC Radio -

Isadora Duncan isn't a name that, unless you are studying dance, you wouldn't recognize. And even if you are studying dance the name may not ring many bells, other than the tragic end to her life in 1927. But it would be safe to say that just about every aspect of Modern Dance, whether it's Hip-Hop, Street dance or ballet owes some aspect of gratitude to the pioneering spirit and the revolutionary breakthrough provided by Isadora Duncan.

Before Isadora Duncan came on the scene Dance consisted of rhythmic steps to popular musical accompaniment (i.e. two-step, foxtrot etc.) or the stiffly formal ballet, which handed down practices from the 18th century.

In essence, Isadora Duncan freed up what dance was all about and in doing so created an art form in which the human body became a medium of endless expression.

She was not, as is evidenced by this spoken reminiscence by Edward Craig, himself an influential figure in 20th century Theatre and the son of legendary Theatre figure Ellen Terry, greeted with open arms. Isadora Duncan was regarded as an outlier, a weirdo and a non-conformist. Her ideas on modern dance were greeted with derision and scorn from what was then the Mainstream. Her free-spirited attitude pigeon-holed her as someone who wasn't "wrapped too tight", bordering on moral decadence.

But she persisted and gathered a following of people who were inspired, forward-thinking and looking for something new. Isadora Duncan provided all three. She was greeted throughout Europe as the way of the future.

That she eventually received recognition and admiration in America for her groundbreaking work was something of a miracle - but that she was also the right person at the right time to bring about change goes without saying. Her example and her ideas set in motion the stage for modern dance to emerge, carried on by the likes of Ruth St. Denis - Martha Graham and a long list that continues on even today.

Although we don't have any recordings of Isadora Duncan's voice, explaining her ideas, there are filmed examples of her pioneering work which have served as historic markers for what was a revolutionary movement in Modern Dance.

And this broadcast from the BBC, from May 31, 1952 by Edward Craig, offering his eyewitness account of the art and career of Isadora Duncan. Craig, in addition to his own revolutionary work in Theatre was also father to one of Duncan's two children.