Impassioned artistry from a masterclass of progressive flamenco.Summary
Rating
Excellent!
It was an excited and chattering crowd that entered the auditorium at Sadler’s Wells for Muerta de Amor (I Died). The venue is hosting much of the Flamenco Festival London 2025, a bi-annual event celebrating the best of flamenco through vocalists, musicians and, of course, dancers. This year marks its 20th anniversary celebrations, and it hosts more than 140 artists across flamenco. You can read more about it in our recent interview with Festival Director Miguel Marín. In particular, Muerta de Amor has been highly anticipated as a contribution from award-winning Andalusian dancer and choreographer Manuel Liñán.
We begin in a blacked out silence and slowly hear voices begin to hum, gradually growing louder until the curtain rises upon a pink set, bright doorway and shadowy musicians. Mara Rey’s opening in black flamenco dress and mantilla was, however, marred by very poor sound quality that distorted her words, though her passion and commitment were evident.
What follows is a masterclass in progressive flamenco; Compañía Manuel Liñán celebrate their musicians, voices and dancers, individually and collectively. The breathtaking shaping and transitions from sinuous femininity to angular, powerful toreador are captivating.
An array of choreography from Liñán and José Maldonado is astounding; from ballet, to flamenco, to samba, to contemporary dance. The interplay of dancers and microphones is complex and eloquent, with playful exchanges of microphones as they sing, whilst the extension of dance movement as they incorporate the stands into sophisticated choreography is enchanting. The dancers move from cohesion to individuality, to battles with pride; always with consummate professionalism.
Muerta de Amor transports us through flirtation to engagement. Sensual, sexual, alone or embracing, the dancers flow with varying pace, fluidity and energy. The combination of music, vocals and dance prowess draws audience gasps, giggles and rapturous applause, whilst the humour of hairography, precision of armography and immaculate timing of steps and positions is a privilege to behold.
Liñán’s artistry is matched by the generosity with which artists are given individual platforms from which to share their talents. From the heights of jetés (grand, battu, en tournant) to the dazzling spins of pirouettes, the works flow between vocals, movement and emotions. The complexity of skills the Compañía demonstrate in their vocals, musicality, dance, and artistry is astonishing.
The apparently simple set design (Liñán, Ernesto Artillo, Gloria Montesinos) is artful, with the dancers’ shadows providing elongated background dancers that frame the complexity and beauty before us; all sensitively lit by Montesinos.
Artillo’s costume design is varied and gender-fluid, illustrating Liñán’s commitment to flamenco being unconfined by traditional costume. Dancer individuality is elegantly framed, from ruffles, to shorts, to braces, dresses and skirts. This culminates in Liñán’s exemplary piece, where clothing from each dancer is assembled to create a modern, grungy flamenco skirt for him, leaving us breathless once more. Flamenco’s Rajastani Romani origins are truly celebrated in this showcase, journeying from tradition to modern fluidity. Compañía’s Muerta de Amor is very much a love story through the depths and sadness of shadow and fireworks of passion, and it’s a highly enjoyable production. To quote Liñán, “Fall in love, friend, you’ll dance better.”
Direction & Choreography: Manuel Liñán
Dancers: Manuel Liñán, Alberto Sellés, Juan Tomás de la Molia, Miguel Heredia, José Ángel Capel, David Acero, Ángel Reyes
Collaborative Direction: Ernesto Artillo
Guest Choreographer: José Maldonado
Guest Artist: Mara Rey
Musicians: Francisco Vinuesa, Juan de la Maria ,Víctor Guadiana, Javier Teruel
Soundspace & Folklore Víctor Guadiana:
Set Design: Manuel Liñán, Ernesto Artillo, & Gloria Montesinos
Costume Design: Ernesto Artillo
Lighting Design: Gloria Montesinos
Sound Design: Ángel Olalla
Production & Tour Management: Inés García
Executive Producers: Peineta Producciones
Muerta de Amor has finished its run.
The Flamenco Festival continues until June 8.
