Duncan Disciples

Seven years ago Isadora Duncan, tired of Paris, the U. S. and the conventions of both, accepted an invitation of the Soviet Government to go to Moscow and found a school of the dance. Moscow palled before long and Dancer Duncan returned to France where in 1927 she died, strangely strangled by one of her own scarfs when it caught in a wheel of her motor car.* Back in Moscow, the seed she had planted took root, flourished. Irma Duncan, an adopted daughter, had stayed to spread the gospel and teach children, just as the Great Isadora had taught her, to know music and translate it freely into bodily movement. Last week with twelve best pupils Dancer Irma arrived in Manhattan to begin there a ten-day memorial festival. Her first program, featuring Impressions of Revolutionary Russia, won highest praise. True to Duncan tradition, the twelve young Russians are free-spirited creatures with no regard for conventional dance designs. Manhattan voted them best of the many Duncan disciples who have exploited the name, their dancing the worthiest tribute to the genius which inspired it. ^

*Two illegitimate children, Patrick and Deirdre, were also killed in a motor car accident. Deirdre was the daughter of Gordon Craig, Ellen Terry's son; Patrick the son, supposedly, of Paris Singer of Singer Sewing Machines.