Flamenco spirit and Broadway magic
A DISTINCTLY Spanish flavour sweeps into the Lyceum this weekend with the return of Increpacion Danza, the Barcelona-based company which combines the energy of contemporary dance with the intense drama of traditional Spanish dance.
They will be presenting the UK premiere of their latest show, Breviario, a heady mix of the passion of flamenco, emotionally- charged contemporary dance and a dash of Broadway magic.
Inspired by the sound of 1930s Spanish music hall, the piece captures the mood of the years immediately before the Spanish Civil War in much the same way that Broadway musical Cabaret mined the decadence of 1930s Berlin. Co-director Ramon Baeza admits the influences of choreographer Bob Fosse's vision of the sleazy world of Sally Bowles and the Kit Kat Club.
Baeza said: "One of my very first propositions was Fosse and Cabaret, though I don't like to say that too much. Cabaret is a movie I must have seen 20 or 30 times and I used the same references – it helped me to translate in terms of popular Spanish music."
Although this showbiz influence is a new move for Increpacion Danza, Baeza believes it is one that fits perfectly with the mood of Breviario.
"The Twenties and Thirties was when Spanish flamenco became very big even in New York," he points out, adding that in just a few years even Hollywood would be seeking out Latin stars like Carmen Miranda and Rita Hayworth.
"There was that moment when flamenco became Music Hall and then became part of big shows on Broadway."
Working with his long-time artistic collaborator and co-director Montse Sanchez, one of the great stars of flamenco, Ramon allows the show's four dancers – Helga Carafi, Vanesa Dominguez, Marisa Guimil and Ruth Garcia – to make their own vital contributions to the piece.
Breviario is on Friday and Saturday night. In addition, on Saturday afternoon the company will also be presenting new family show Increpa2. Playing with the passion of flamenco in a contemporary theatre context, the cabaret-style show is ideal for children aged four and upwards and their families.
Montse Sanchez will also be leading a family-friendly flamenco workshop on Saturday morning.
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Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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