Reminiscences and Reflections at Eighty

Abstract

The memoirs which follow, resulted from three extensive interviews (on 22 and 23 May 2004 in Nîmes, France, and on 23 July 2004 in London); the transcripts were then edited and submitted to Mr Cohan for amendment and approval. The text that follows is a full encapsulation of what was said, apart from a lengthy excursus on orientalism in Miss Graham's work and a shorter one on improvisation in dance. This is a personal account, not a connected history of Mr Cohan's activities: many episodes from a long and varied life in dance were not encompassed in the interviews, notably the dance company Robert Cohan formed after he left the Graham Company for the first time and the work in Broadway musicals that he also undertook at this stage of his performing career. The commentary on the Graham repertory and that of London Contemporary Dance Theatre (LCDT) is also indicative rather than exhaustive. Robert Cohan is aware of major episodes from the Graham years – such as the first Asian Tour – that form no part of this account. Similarly, he does not seek to retrace the ground so amply covered in the history of London Contemporary Dance Theatre. On the other hand, some of the subjects that did come up, have been discussed before – usually with some differences of emphasis or detail. But it is worth recalling in this regard that memory can exercise a refining and a condensing, as well, sometimes, as a distorting influence. In establishing the ‘truth’ about any matter it is as useful to have several accounts by the same witness as it is to have one account by several witnesses – just as in an epistolary novel by Richardson, an event looked at and described by the same person several times or by a number of different people, can produce a richer version of ‘reality’ than a single ‘definitive’ statement. Although every attempt has been made to rectify errors of minor detail, the decision has been taken not to provide any scholarly notes to the text. This contribution to the journal is best received as a primary historical document. Those seeking a chronological account of the events mentioned in the text, or further guidance on matters of detail, are referred to the standard works.