麻豆社

A portrait of one of the most fascinating figures in dance.

Flamboyant, theatrical, loud, choreographer Mark Morris is also a thoughtful, considered self-taught scholar of music.

And it's his extraordinary musicality that earned him, from the beginning, a reputation with musicians. The likes of Yo Yo Ma and Emmanuel Ax have sought him out as a collaborator.

We accompany dance professor Stephanie Jordan to Sadler's Wells during Morris' visit to London, with exclusive access to his rehearsals, watching him direct his company in two new works. We also speak to two of his most experienced dancers in Dresden, and tour his famous dance headquarters in Brooklyn, New York.

Interviewing New York critics Joan Acocella and Alastair Macaulay, as well as Mark Morris himself, we build up a profile of a brilliantly talented and visionary choreographer. And discover why he places such value on music (Baroque in particular), how his distinctive style of choreography has evolved, and aims for his company.

Producer: Isabel Sutton

A Just Radio production for 麻豆社 Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2014.