Jaleo Flamenco Dance Company - Review (London South Bank)

Costs are rising and times are tough.
Please consider a donation to keep this
place going.

Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.

We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.

You are logged in as Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >>Useful Stuff >>Events >>

Page: [1]

Message

<< Newer Topic Older Topic >>

Romanza

Posts: 296
Joined: Oct. 24 2005

Jaleo Flamenco Dance Company - Revie...

Went to see the Jaleo Flamenco Dance Company on Saturday night - they were performing at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on London's South Bank.

Not sure what I made of it to be honest. They were undoubtedly all very talented performers. I think that was the problem - the 'performing' aspect. To me it didnt seem particularly heartfelt or authentic - more like a show for the tourists in a tabloa somewhere.

I was reminded of an excerpt from Robin Totton's book when he mentions the trend he sees in some performers turning to the audience after a particularly impressive piece of 'zapateado' or similar - as if to say 'wow look at me' kind of things. The bailaora did this several times, and I found it very irritating. She was far too smily for my liking - milking it all far too much!

One of the guitarists I thought just looked so 'un flamenco' - looking at the programme I found out he is called 'El ingles' - guess that makes sense! When they pulled him up to dance at the end it was like a highland fling!! Great guitarist - nice guitar solo.

There were some spine-tingling moments, and I liked the cantaoras voice (Trinidad Montero). The cantaor was called Juan Reina and was very good - very serious and seeming muy flamenco! But all in all it seemed a bit too crowd pleasing for me. Every piece ended in a fantastical display of footwork but to be honest when it's in your face every five minutes it loses its effect. Seemed to stray a bit into Riverdance territory too!

The audience loved it, and I had a good time - but didn't join in the standing ovation at the end.. It was lively, exciting and fun - but seemed to lacke that genuine passion and depth and hint of darkness that stirs the heart and makes flamenco so compelling (for me anyway!!)

Annoyingly, the sevillanas was played off-mic and the guitars could barely be heard (tsk!!!). There were serious mic problems at one point - horrible loud screechings. The technical side seemed a bit shambolic, with wires everywhere - the troupe didnt seem at all familiar with the stage set up.

Oh, there was a lovely alegrias though.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 26 2006 13:46:46

Jon Boyes

Posts: 1377
Joined: Jul. 10 2003

RE: Jaleo Flamenco Dance Company - R... (in reply to Romanza)

They played here last summer, but I couldn't make it as I had a gig myself. I was really annoyed as the flamenco scene down here is so sparse, and touring Spanish groups rarely play (even if they do have an english guitarist amongst them

quote:

It was lively, exciting and fun - but seemed to lacke that genuine passion and depth and hint of darkness that stirs the heart and makes flamenco so compelling (for me anyway!!)

I know exactly what you mean. Its the only flamenco we seem to get over here though. I envy Simon, Kate, Anders et al , must be great to be able to drop in on the real stuff in a more intimate setting. I'd love to experience that.

_____________________________

Spanish Guitarist in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 26 2006 14:07:09

Exitao

Posts: 907
Joined: Mar. 13 2006
From: Vancouver, Canada

RE: Jaleo Flamenco Dance Company - R... (in reply to Romanza)

What's with the dancers smiling? I mentioned that I saw something similar earlier.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 27 2006 2:39:04

Garyw1960

Posts: 91
Joined: Nov. 13 2005

RE: Jaleo Flamenco Dance Company - R... (in reply to Romanza)

Smiling dancers....seen it at Paco Pena and Juan Martin. I agree, its not to my taste, I prefer to see attitude.

Gary

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 27 2006 5:12:15

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Jaleo Flamenco Dance Company - R... (in reply to Romanza)

Thanks for all your show reviews Romanza, I really enjoy reading them.
I saw the group myself a good number of years ago and had a similar kind of feeling...that it just lacked something that the true aficionado wants.
El Ingles is of course English and has played Flamenco for a very long time.
He's lived in Sevilla for ages and is a very good player.

I felt that all the artists were capable of pulling off first class stuff, but that they were following out a show formula that would reach a mainly "entertainment" audience, who know little or nothing of Flamenco.

They have been touring for many years now, so I guess they must have arrived at the best compromise to be commercially viable, which is important when you have a mortgage to pay etc..

But it definitely leaned more towards high class Costa Brava stuff than Madrid Tablao stuff IMO.

cheers

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 27 2006 9:03:56

el ted

Posts: 466
Joined: Nov. 13 2003

RE: Jaleo Flamenco Dance Company - R... (in reply to Romanza)

I have seen Jaleo perform a dozen times at least over recent years, and they always seem to be working their socks off. The English guitarist actually hails from Lincolnshire, and I think that he has quite rightly tailored Jaleo's performances to suit a seated non participatary English audience. I am sure they are the real deal, but to get PAYING bums on seats, some aspects of their flamenco has had to be adapted to suit. I doubt that a fifteen minute seguiriya would go down to well with your average theatre goer!
I think they get better and better at what they do.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 28 2006 10:01:33

Romanza

Posts: 296
Joined: Oct. 24 2005

RE: Jaleo Flamenco Dance Company - R... (in reply to Romanza)

El ted - yes they did work their socks off and I'm not denying that each of them is incredibly talented. I had a friend with me who had never seen a live flamenco show but is interested in learning flamenco dance and to be honest I was relieved that the show leant towards the crowdpleasing side of things as I didn't want her to be scared off!! To be thrown in at the deep end of flamenco without prior experience would be a bit much for anyone. But for me, it didn't do much.

Thanks Ron - yes I agree with your comments. And I've never actually been to a tablao so I think that comment was probably a bit rash. It all just seemed very showy.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 28 2006 10:28:56

Jim Opfer

Posts: 1876
Joined: Jul. 19 2003
From: Glasgow, Scotland.

RE: Jaleo Flamenco Dance Company - R... (in reply to el ted)

quote:

The English guitarist actually hails from Lincolnshire

Peter Holloway, I thought he was from Preston? could be wrong.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 16 2006 20:03:08

Romanza

Posts: 296
Joined: Oct. 24 2005

RE: Jaleo Flamenco Dance Company - R... (in reply to Jim Opfer)

Yeah he's from Lancashire apparently.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 18 2006 11:23:55

gardenshed

Posts: 140
Joined: Jul. 31 2006

RE: Jaleo Flamenco Dance Company - R... (in reply to Romanza)

Jaleo are a thoroughly professional outfit, but as you say, a touch 'classical' for want of a better word, for some tastes.

Just as professional, but thoroughly different are 'Flamenco Express'.

Flamenco Express

You pay your money and take your choice.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 31 2006 10:29:45