Teddy and Topsy (Edinburgh 2010)

Isadora Duncan’s love letters to Gordon Craig

By Robert Shaw

C Venues, Edinburgh, 4-30 August 2010

Anna-Marie Paraskeva as Isadora Duncan

Ben Warwick as the voice of Edward Gordon Craig

Directed by Robert Shaw

Design by Edward Gordon Craig, realised by Jessica Wiesner

Lighting by Jack Knowles

Stage Manager – Kalia Maliali

Photos by Jane Barlow of the Scotsman

She was the greatest dancer in the world.  He revolutionised the theatre.  In dance and in her own words, Isadora Duncan tells how two great artists loved each other eternally but were destined never to be together.

Robert Shaw creates a play fused with dance that follows their passionate, tempestuous love affair, adapted from her letters and other writings.

Writer / director Robert Shaw’s grandfather Martin Shaw worked extensively with Craig and conducted orchestras for Isadora on two tours of Europe, in 1906 and 1907.

Inside Intelligence has obtained special permission to use a never-before-seen original stage design by Craig, made for Isadora in 1906 while she was carrying his child, Deirdre.

★★★★ CRITICS’ CHOICE – THE SCOTSMAN

★★★★ EDINBURGH GUIDE

★★★★ EDINBURGH SPOTLIGHT

“Stunning portrayal of ISADORA DUNCAN” – THE STAGE

“ISADORA DUNCAN was, and remains, one of the dance world’s most fascinating figures. ANNA-MARIE PARASKEVA’s passionate delivery… has enough star quality to carry this hour-long show and beyond. Perfectly capturing Duncan’s excitement at performing, her deep love for Craig and heartbreak at the tragic deaths of her young children, she turns in a first-rate performance worthy of a far bigger audience.” – SCOTSMAN