Errand into the Maze Errand into the Maze Errand into the Maze is a Martha Graham ballet based on a poem by Ben Belitt set to music by Gian Carlo Menotti. The surrealistic set was designed by Isamu Noguchi, the costumes by Graham herself. The dance uses the Greek myth of Ariadne and the Minotaur to explore the theme of conquering one’s inner demons, more specifically the fear of sexual intimacy. The piece premiered at the Ziegfeld Theatre on February 28, 1947, with Graham as the protagonist, a sort of female Theseus, and Mark Ryder as the Minotaur-like character. The original program notes describe
Minotaur (New-Gen) continuing waves of MetalMite aggression. Eventually, he received help from Horus, a combat robot sent to his aid by Gabriel, and the ancient hero Perseus. After teaming up with them, Mini was finally able to defeat Deadalus, asking if he could kill him and end his vicious attacks on people. However, Gabriel denied him, saying that Deadalus could learn from his ways, then banished Deadalus to the underworld. After Mini departed, his story went down in history, and eventually became the ancient myth of the Minotaur of the Labyrinth. Being the eldest member of the A.P.N.G, Mini received the added