My Name is Margaret Morris

In a personal tribute, Stuart Hopps transforms into dance pioneer Margaret Morris to present the case for her vital role in the development of modern dance in the United Kingdom.

Hopps fills the stage with his effervescence and obvious love for his character. Draping a coral coloured scarf around himself he becomes Morris, demonstrating her presence and grace.

The stage contains a minimal set - table, chair and a glass of wine- and Hopps as Morris sits here only briefly to discuss her life in London’s West End, in Paris and as the wife of artist John Duncan Fergusson (“Fergus”) before leaping up to gesticulate about the dominance of Martha Graham and the formulation of her dance technique.

This technique was based on the six Classical Greek dance positions as taught to her by Raymond Duncan, the brother of Isadora Duncan. She taught this throughout Britain at her dance schools as well as creating a prolific body of choreographic work and founding two national dance companies in Scotland. In addition to her performance career as a dancer, choreographer and actress, Morris was interested in dance as therapy, becoming qualified – “legit” - as a physiotherapist.

Hopps as MM intersperses engaging moments of introspection and dramatic projection with the opportunity for the audience to go through a series of MM exercises. The audience leaves with a glow about them: Hopps imbuing his MM with love and personal commitment.