Show review: Flamenco Festival London 21 June

Show review: Flamenco Festival London 21 June – 02 July 2022

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Published on Friday, 24 June 2022 15:03

Last Updated on 24 June 2022

Monica Costa

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The Summer of 2022 in London is really hot! And by this I mean it has really cool shows (forgive my pun!) across hundreds of venues. The city is filled with superb stars not only at BST Hyde Park music festival, but also in all theatres across the Capital.

After a three-year wait, the much anticipated Flamenco Festival at Sadler’s Wells celebrates rising stars and Flamenco legends. Featuring some of the biggest names in the art form, a unique opportunity to see world-class international artists in London. With something for everyone whether you like your Flamenco classical, contemporary or with an experimental twist.

I could only go the show Compañia Ana Morales Without Permission, Songs for Silence and I am now sad that I won’t be able to see any other performances due to other commitments. This festival is worth attending in its entirety.

Emerging talent Ana Morales blew me away last night. She blended traditional flamenco with the avant-garde in her innovative and emotive, Without Permission, Songs for Silence. In a mix of styles and dance forms, demonstrations of synchronicity and experimentation, of celebration and reflection, this contemporary flamenco artist represents the bright future of flamenco dance.

Ana Morales in a dusty pink, floor-length ruffled dress bends backwards, head towards the floor, her eyes closed, one fist slightly raised. The bearded guitarist in a blue suit sits on a chair further back in warm evening light. They were incredible last night.

Without Permission, Songs for Silence, looks at memory, delving into the delicate recollections of the artist’s father, his connection to Andalusia and to flamenco, and her own journey to understanding art and its connection to life.

The simplicity of Ana Morales’ show reveals the real essence of flamenco. The pure sound of the acoustic guitar accompanying the rhythmic shoe stomping creates a special intensity that allows the audience to focus on each individual object and performer so much so that you almost feel part of the show.

Throughout the show I felt transported into the magic of flamenco with its strong energy that is channelled in various sevillanas dances showing joy at times, sadness, melancholy and rage.

The dancers and musicians tell a story through their bodies and the objects they present in every new song.

This performance is part of the Flamenco Festival.

For 12 days (21 June 21 to 2 July 2022), you can witness the best of contemporary flamenco, mixed with classical traditions and nuevo flamenco. Representing the avant-garde at the festival will be Manuel Liñan, who has long been admired for challenging gender stereotypes through his proficiency with the colourful costumes traditionally worn by bailaoras, particularly the bata de cola and mantón.

Don’t miss it!

Monica Costa

Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums