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Humanity made sizzlingly sublime and celebrated through ferociously exhilarating virtuoso flamenco.Summary
Rating
Unmissable!
The word ‘solera’ describes a wine making process from Spain wherein old and new wines are incrementally blended, the ages combining to create something original and innovative. Here at Sadler’s Wells, 81 year old virtuoso guitarist Paco Peña takes to the stage with his Paco Peña Dance Company made up of both mature and young performers. Their production, Solera,similarly sees the traditions of flamenco passed on, reinvigorated and reimagined in an electrifying fusion as exceptional musicians, dancers and singers meld their unique skills to create a thrilling evening of performance and passion that is entirely breathtaking.
As the show begins we hear the sounds of everyday life around us (Lauren Serrano). Cars rush past horns honking, birds sing and a variety of ordinary people talking in to their phones emerge onto the stage; identical in their isolation.
Moments later they are a company in the rehearsal room, coats off, phones put away, and change begins. Organically the performers start to show glimpses of what they do. Percussionist Julio Alcocer taps the side of a box, and the rhythm is born. Hands clap, guitars play, feet tap and a cycle begins of extraordinarily skilful music, singing and dance.
This is a ferociously exhilarating production, full of exciting juxtapositions as the essence of traditional flamenco is supplemented with youth and invention. The energy of human life feeds viscerally into the performance; from the raw physicality of the voices and dancing – bodies used as instruments to create a universal understanding – to the perfect imperfection of the magnificent Spanish guitar, its strings squeaking, given voice as agile hands rapidly explore the frets and create magic. Humanity is made sublime and celebrated.
Directed meticulously by Jude Kelly CBE, the evening is split into two styles, initially setting a scene of the mundane and rehearsal, then later elevating things with colour, lighting and drama to spotlight the world-class virtuoso performances. We meet dancers Angel Muñoz, Adriana Bilboa and Gabriel Matias, as they display snapshots of flamenco style both individually and together. Their work is exact, athletic, delightfully playful, and completely captivating.Muñoz in particular is an outstanding showman, seizing the stage with charisma and flawless dance. Immaculada Rivero and Iván Carpio are our amazing singers, their passion in powerful tension with the music and movement. Although the words are Spanish and foreign to many in the audience, the emotion is undeniable; vivid and exquisitely moving. Rivero’s howling anguish juxtaposes magnificently with the beauty of the astonishing guitar playing by Dani de Morón, Rafael Montilla and the master himself, Peña, whose mellifluous sound is liquid gold. In his complex solos, if you couldn’t see him working alone you would swear there were multiple guitarists playing together.
The second half is all about the drama of performance, with striking costume (Cariola, Linda Rowell, Elvira Peña) and evocative lighting (Tom Wickens) embellishing the talents of the company. The timing is impeccable as the pieces slide organically between atmospheres and we perhaps sit for a moment in the darkness, in thrilling anticipation of what might come next.
Tonight we are gifted all human emotions, audibly and visually, by a company connected by instinct, acutely aware of their shared actions, responding to invisible signals with surgical precision; a unit but also individuals. The performance is choreographed superbly by Fernando Romero, yet feels spontaneous and utterly alive.
This is a soulful, fiery, ferocious and humorous show, appealing to a universal audience. It will make you laugh, cry, and sit on the edge of your seat as you realise this is what it can be to be human. Put down your phone, feel the rhythm; embrace the flamenco!
Musical Director: Paco Peña
Director: Jude Kelly
Special Musical Collaboration: Dani de Morón
Choreography: Fernando Romero
Light Design: Tom Wickens
Sound: Lauren Serrano
Costumes: Cariola, Linda Rowell, Elvira Peña
Solera runs at Sadler’s Wells until Saturday 20 April.
Further information and booking can be found here.
