Errand into the Maze is a Martha Graham ballet based on a poem by Ben Belitt set to music by Gian Carlo Menotti. The surrealistic set was designed by Isamu Noguchi, the costumes by Graham herself.[1] The dance uses the Greek myth of Ariadne and the Minotaur to explore the theme of conquering one’s inner demons, more specifically the fear of sexual intimacy.[2] The piece premiered at the Ziegfeld Theatre on February 28, 1947, with Graham as the protagonist, a sort of female Theseus,[3] and Mark Ryder as the Minotaur-like character.

Errand into the Maze is one of the choreographer's best-known and most popular ballets. It remains in the Martha Graham Dance Company repertory.[4]

Plot

The original program notes describe the action as “that errand-journey into the maze of the heart to face and do battle with the Creature of Fear.”[5] Barely fifteen minutes in length,[6] Errand into the Maze is designed almost as a solo work, with the bull-horned, staff (bone)-carrying Creature of Fear serving more as a prop than an active participant.[7]

The unnamed female protagonist weaves her way through a rope maze outlined on the stage to arrive at a set (originally by Isamu Noguchi) that includes a suggestive v-shaped wooden frame (like a tree, or a woman’s crotch).[8] She is confronted three times by the creature, ultimately overpowering him. He drops the bone/staff as he sinks to the floor in surrender. The heroine dances in the void between the two vertical set elements as the curtain falls.[9]

Primary dancers

When the piece premiered in 1947, the primary dancers were Martha Graham and Mark Ryder.[10] They performed a revised version the next season, and received better reviews.[11] When Graham once again danced Ariadne in 1952, she was accompanied by Stuart Hodes.[12] They continued to perform the piece together over the next few seasons.[13]

When the Batsheva Dance Company of Israel was founded by Graham and Baroness Batsheva de Rothschild in 1964, the revival of "Errand into the Maze" was danced by Rina Schenfeld and Moshe Efrati.[14] Yuriko Kimura and Tim Wengerd were the primary dancers of the piece in the 1970s.[15] In the 1980s, the piece was danced first by Terese Capucilli and Larry White and then by Christine Dakin and Mario Comacho.[16][17]

References

  1. ↑ Walter Terry, The Dance, New York Herald Tribune, March 1, 1947, http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.200153678/default.html >
  2. ↑ Stuart Hodes, Part Real, Part Dream: Dancing with Martha Graham, Concord ePress, 3rd edition, August 2011, location 3342
  3. ↑ John Martin, Miss Graham Gives a New Dance Work, The New York Times, March 1, 1947, http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.200153681/pageturner.html
  4. ↑ Martha Graham Dance Company Repertory http://marthagraham.org/press-presenters2/repertory/
  5. ↑ S. Hurok presents Martha Graham, Ziegfeld Theatre, Monday, February 24, through Sunday, March 2 http://lcweb2.loc.gov/natlib/ihas/service/graham.1/200153664/200153664.pdf
  6. ↑ Joseph Stevenson, Gian Carlo Menotti, Errand into the Maze, ballet, Allmusic.com http://www.allmusic.com/composition/errand-into-the-maze-ballet-mc0002358764
  7. ↑ Cecil Smith, The Maze of the Heart, Dance in Review, Theatre Arts, May 1947 http://lcweb2.loc.gov/natlib/ihas/service/graham.1/200153706/200153706.pdf
  8. ↑ Seidman, Carrie. "Dance Review: America's oldest dance troupe looks as fresh as ever". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
  9. ↑ Martha Graham, Errand into the Maze, 1990 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieMO1Z0UhGQ
  10. ↑ G. Rogers, W. (1947, March 9). Graham's Success Warrants Four More Programs. Dallas Morning News, p. Page Fifteen. Retrieved from NewsBank: Access World News. Retrieved on 2022-05-11.
  11. ↑ Martin, J. (1948, Feb 23). GRAHAM DANCERS ATTRACT STANDEES: GIVE THREE PERFORMANCES OVER WEEK-END -- BALLET RUSSE HAS CASTING NOVELTIES. New York Times (1923-) Retrieved from ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Retrieved on 2022-05-11.
  12. ↑ Martin, J. (1952, Apr 23). MARTHA GRAHAM OFFERS PROGRAM: BEGINS SERIES OF SIX BALLET PERFORMANCES AT JUILLIARD SCHOOL WITH NEW WORK. New York Times (1923-) Retrieved from ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Retrieved on 2022-50-11.
  13. ↑ Martin, J. (1953, May 19). GRAHAM PRESENTS 3 MODERN DANCES: ' ERRAND INTO MAZE,' 'CANTICLE FOR INNOCENT COMEDIANS' AND 'DARK MEADOW' ARE GIVEN. New York Times (1923-) Retrieved from ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Retrieved on 2022-05-11.
  14. ↑ Barnes, C. (1970, Dec 09). Dance: Israeli troupe right at home: Batsheva company an american offshoot martha graham story of ariadne revived. New York Times (1923-) Retrieved from ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Retrieved on 2022-05-11.
  15. ↑ Dance: 'errand' revival: Graham's statement on fear retains its impact at the hellinger. (1974, May 01). New York Times (1923-) Retrieved from ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Retrieved on 2022-05-11.
  16. ↑ KISSELGOFF, A. (1988, Oct 13). Review/Dance; graham's 'phaedra' and 'errand into the maze': [review]. New York Times Retrieved from ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Retrieved on 2022-05-11.
  17. ↑ KISSELGOFF, A. (1985, Apr 05). DANCE 2 MARTHA GRAHAM REVIVALS: [REVIEW]. New York Times Retrieved from ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Retrieved on 2022-05-11.
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