Anna Pavlova and her turbulent relationship with Dance Partner Mikale Mordkin

Photo Credit: Anna Pavlova and Mikale Mordkin from Bacchanale Ballet from Pavlova Portrait
Of A Dancer Presented by Margot Fonteyn

Anna Pavlova's first most famous dance partner was Mikale Mordkin. They were known to complement each other; Mordkin's masculinity complemented Pavlova's femininity and their blend of yin and yang reflected beautifully in their dancing and made them a household name in New York and eastern states in America and London. 

Another known fact was before they were even paired up, Mordkin was in love with Pavlova, as described as head over heels in love. It seems at the time she shared those feelings for him, because of these feelings  a partnership was born. 

There were rumors in the press that they intended to marry. When asked by the press on this topic, Anna Pavlova responded with this, 

"We are too busy to think of marriage." Anna Pavlova 

 Mikail Mordkin was asked as well and he replied, 

"Engaged?"- stammered Mordkin, blushing like a school girl "Why I can't say-- that is (looking at his beaming companion (Pavlova), who stood near) not at present. I mean --no. Of course not. You see we have our art to think of. Mlle Pavlova is a great artist. With her dancing comes before all else. She must think first of that-- all the time. Is it not so!" And Mordkin vanished, followed by the trim Pavlova, who threw a mischievous glance over her shoulder."- Mikail Mordkin

Photo Credit: Anna Pavlova and Mikale Mordkin from Bacchanale Ballet from Pavlova Portrait Of A Dancer Presented by Margot Fonteyn

 

 Mordkin loved the spotlight and being the center of attention which he experienced in America.  He was disappointed when he left America and went to London. He wasn't getting the same popularity he experienced in America, instead it was Pavlova getting the attention and soon after,  the romance that blossomed between the two withered. It was said after of the ending of the Pavlova romance, Mordkin was consoled by Vaslav Nijinsky's sister Bronislava Nijinska.

Their popularity in the papers created competition between both Pavlova and Mordkin. Mordkin was even having a love hate relationship with the reporters when the articles made him look like Pavlova's sidekick. Pavlova shared this aggravation when she saw the papers were filled with only Mordkin's name and not a mention of her and him as dance partners. There was an account where a restaurant had a menu item called Frog Legs Pavlova that enraged Mordkin so much; he pounded his fist on the table demanding where are Frog Legs Mordkin? This was when the relationship was starting to slowly go down hill. You might say this was a clash of an Alpha male vs Alpha female both want control and both won't relinquish control to the other, which is why I think a marriage between them would have been doomed from the start and may have impacted Anna Pavlova's freedom to  create her own ballet company and tour because of Mordkin's controlling nature and ego.

While the romantic relationship ended between them, their working relationship was also getting affected. It happened when they were both doing the final act of Bacchanale. The audience in the front row heard, though it was not seen, because the curtain had already fallen; a slap that was described to have been acted out by Pavlova against Mordkin. When cast was called back to take their bows, Anna Pavlova did not appear with Mikail Mordkin; this confirmed the suspicions people had something was going on between the two. When the reporters questioned Alfred Butt on what had happened between them, he said it was entirely personal between them and had nothing to do with the management and if they won't reconcile, they are looking to find replacement partners for both Pavlova and Mordkin.

 Shortly after that, Pavlova was now pulled into a court battle to testify because Mordkin was suing the Mayer, their agent and company for being taken advantage of by said individuals and threatening to end his contract before it was over. During the cross examining both Mordkin and Pavlova were questioned on their relationship, bringing to light their feud.

The trial ended with the Judge delivering judgement for Mayer. Finally the trial was over and Pavlova could think about ballet again.

Shortly after that, Mordkin wrote a letter complaining that the Pavlova-Mordkin souvenir and it's ads, had no mention of his name or his photographs; it's just Pavlova. His fans were asking him why his pictures were not in it? The actual only mention of him was with words such as, Pavlova's no less amazing partner and her male pursuer. Knowing Mordkin's character and pride, this must have been insulting to him but Anna Pavlova didn't know the Palace Theater would make the souvenirs that way, but still, he held resentment toward her, blaming her for it.

Photo Credit: From the Bystander paper, London 1911 that was glorifying Mordkin at the expense of Pavlova whom they intentionally made her photo smaller from Pavlova Portrait of A Dancer Presented by Margot Fonteyn

Four months later the two broke their silence and gave their sides of the story to the American press. Anna Pavlova stated that this feud had spoiled her work and Mordkin replied that Pavlova was jealous of his success as a dancer and he was unfairly treated as a dancer. He also at this time married another dancer and went on about her beauty to reporters. I'm not sure why he brought his wife into this, unless he thought it would upset Pavlova.  

I think Pavlova was relieved though, when Mordkin and her went separate directions in their careers, as they both seemed toxic to each other. Hard to believe once lovers turned to enemies at constant war with each other.  I think it was the healthiest decision for both to separate from each other.

Mordkin set out for America for his own tour and planned to open a dance school with his wife. Pavlova stayed in England and was active on stage for the Palace Season performing the snowflake scene that was loosely based on Ivanov's Snowflake scene from The Nutcracker. She at last could focus solely on her dancing and close the chapter of Mordkin and Pavlova.

Photo Credit: Anna Pavlova as Snow Flake from Pavlova Portrait Of A Dancer Presented By Margot Fonteyn