Flamenco has rarely felt as charged and alive as it does in this show. Masterminded by Alfonso Losa and Patricia Guerrero, both perform the main characters of the show with accompaniment from two vocalists ( Sandra Carrasco and Manuel “Niño de Gines”) as well as an exceptional musical foundation from Francisco Vinuesa, together delivering a show filled with wonderful, frenetic energy.
With these many elements in place, it’s immediately clear that there is more than just dancing happening here. Though the set design is sparse and minimalist, Guerrero and Losa easily fill the entire space as they and the supporting cast use song and the pure movement of the pair’s bodies to tell a tale of deep intimacy, passion and conflict between each of their two characters.
The substance of the narrative is never made plain as no one ever stops to explain or even speak, but its emotional beats hit sharp and clear as the pair navigates through the many stages of an intense and often antagonistic relationship. This is most exciting in the early sections of the play where Guerrero and Losa are initially drawn to each other and constantly seek to outdo one another until they finally come to terms and join together, collaborating instead of competing.
Throughout, the singing from Sandra Carrasco, in particular, injects each scene with a melodrama and emotion that elevates the sharp steps of Guerrero and Losa. This show is firing on many cylinders and Carrasco’s vocals are yet another element that comes off flawlessly.
The one minor misstep is that, as a story and as a show, the whole thing slightly outstays its welcome. After the peaks of conflict showcased early in the rivalry between Guerrero and Losa and the serene harmony reached by the end of the play’s middle, the final stage of their story ends up feeling like an unnecessary appendix. The show seems somewhat aware of this as it pulls several tricks at this stage to reinvigorate proceedings, such as a red fan being used by Guerrero or a swapping of clothes between our protagonists, but neither is sufficiently fresh to justify the drawn-out length.
Still, it’s difficult to begrudge too much of a good thing and for the vast majority of this show’s length, it hits its marks with exceptional skill and grace, delivering an unconventional yet delightful spectacle.
Reviewed on 6 June 2024
The Reviews Hub Score
Wonderfully kinetic
