Word: escudero
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Last winter when few European artists could make a go of a U. S. début, Vicente Escudero, a bold-eyed Spanish gypsy, sauntered one evening on to the stage of a Manhattan theatre and proceeded to dance as he had danced many times in the streets and cafés of Spain. There was nothing ingratiating about Escudero's performance that evening. He strutted about like a cock in smart, skin-tight costumes which Artist Pablo Picasso had designed for him. He did amazing footwork to a dozen complicated rhythms. He conversed with his castanets, brutally, insolently...
Spaniards have rhapsodized over Gypsy Vicente Escudero ever since, at the age of 9, he danced in the streets with his Gypsy relatives, went through the crowds passing his worn cap for reales. Escudero hated asking for money. He felt that it degraded his art. But because he was a bold child with an attractively insolent manner he came back always with his cap well filled...
...Escudero developed his swaggering, in solent way along with an amazing foot technique, a thorough acquaintance with Spanish classical dancing and all its varied and intricate rhythms. Paris took him up. Artist Pablo Picasso designed his costumes. The late Anna Pavlova saw him, chose him for her partner on her next U. S. tour...
Pavlova did not live to make her fare well tour (TIME, Feb. 2, 1931), so Escudero arrived on his own last week, still yellow with the fear of the sea which besets all Gypsies. Spaniards filled a Manhattan theatre for his debut, shouted so loudly that he and the two girls with him repeated nearly everything they did. Escudero strutted about like a cock, clicking his heels and tapping his toes through dances loosely designed. His conversational castanet-playing impressed Ameri cans most. He barked with them brutally, whispered insinuatingly. For the end of one dance he snapped a fingernail...