Review: Flamencodanza, SPID Theatre

New to the list of venues on the list for Camden Fringe this year is SPID Theatre in Ladbroke Grove. This is a remarkable space on any day of the week – a home to a youth theatre group that sued the Kensington & Chelsea council for failing to upkeep the property and then ensured some of their compensation was used to renovate a now perfectly formed little theatre in their tower block, shadowed by Grenfell. It’s a fabulous little space and perfect for a fringe production.

Tonight we’re swept miles away from grubby London to the heat of Spain, Brazil and Argentina in the passionate performance of Flamencodanza. On a bare stage, with only a few coloured lights to enhance the image of the solo dancer, it is a truly wonderful fringe show that inspires the imagination through captivating movement and music.

The evening begins with a solitary guitarist, Raul Mannola, sitting on the side of a darkened stage. As he begins to play, his breathtaking talent sparks the soul. It’s a colourful selection of pieces tonight, offering an interesting and invigorating range of works that deliver both contemporary and classic styles – entirely sympathetic to the spirit of flamenco that so perfectly fuses respect for heritage with evolution of the art form. He plays impeccably with complexity and astonishing speed: if you shut your eyes you could easily believe there are three guitarists on stage.

The music fuels the dance as Aylin Bayaz takes to the stage, and the atmospheric intensity builds as music and movement work in tight synchronicity. Dressed in a wonderfully fluid blue costume, she takes us into an almost elemental state, the burning passion of the performance underscored by the watery sinuousness of the flowing dress; her fringed shawl whirling tempestuously through the air and the solid earth resonating with rapid, repetitive footwork. We’re imaginatively transported away from the darkness of a London theatre as the performance evokes the heat of Spain and the searing fervour of South American culture.

The evening is enhanced when Mannola tells us a little about the pieces and the duo’s background, stopping to speak to the audience post-show, which offers interesting insight. It would be great to have more of this, perhaps between sections while he pauses to retune the guitar.

The audience left the venue bubbling with excitement, enthused by the performance and thrilled to find such a diamond of a show in an entirely unexpected place. This production is undoubtedly a valuable addition to the Camden Fringe’s eclectic programme.

Created by Aylin Bayaz

Flamencodanza plays at SPID Theatre until Friday 1 August.