Theories of Dancing

Extract

It is an odd fact that practically everything in what is called The Central-European School of Dance was derived from a French singer. Surprisingly little is known in England about this remarkable man, who, believing his work to be incomplete and susceptible of further development, refused to have it publicized in print. Passed from teacher to pupil his theories, like some ancient religion, have been preserved by oral transmission. He had three American pupils and from one of these, Henrietta Crane (Mrs. Richard Hovey), the American dancer, Shawn, acquired the method which he claims comes in a “direct stream from François Delsarte.” As in Germany, Delsarte provided a basis for the modern dance in America.