Margaret Morris (dancer) - Later Years and Legacy

Later Years and Legacy

In 1961, after the death of her husband, the Glasgow School was closed. In 1972, at the age of 81, Margaret was asked to train the dancers in the hit musical Hair at the Metropole Theatre, Glasgow. In 1973 the 'Margaret Morris Movement' film was made by the Scottish Arts Council. Margaret Morris died in Glasgow on 29 February 1980, aged 89.

Margaret Morris made a unique contribution to the development and teaching of dance in England and abroad. Margaret’s original interest in creating her own exercise and dance movement was based on her desire to devise a technique that was more natural to perform than ballet. Over those early years the breadth of movement she created encompassed a diverse scope of exercise, dance and movement training with an extensive range of elements and levels designed to include all ages and abilities.

From those pioneering roots Margaret became aware of the need for health education and the value of providing clear explanation to gain the most benefit from each exercise. She found that the body quickly responded to this precise systematic training and provide the students with strong lean toned bodies, increased thoracic capacity, bone density, mobility and heart rate. At the same time students’ posture, balance, concentration level and co-ordination improved. Free movement expression and composition were integrated throughout the technique providing the basis for choreography as well as many psychological benefits.