Romanza -> Jaleo Flamenco Dance Company - Review (London South Bank) (Jun. 26 2006 13:46:46)
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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.
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