Barcelona Flamenco Ballet tours China in December 2019

Flamenco Agency, new member of AAPPAC, is dedicated to bringing Flamenco culture to the rest of the world and has performed in over 30 countries on four continents since 2007. They are proud to have placed flamenco productions in some of the best world’s most prestigious venues, such as members of the European Festivals Association, Royal Opera House Muscat and Bangkok’s International Festival of Dance and Music. Flamenco Agency manages and distributes Barcelona Flamenco Ballet which will offer more than 20 performances around China in December 2019 and January 2020.

Barcelona Flamenco Ballet and its show Flamenco Reborn fuses three dance styles with which we are all familiar – jazz, contemporary and, of course, flamenco – although the integration of the three results in a totally innovative onstage presence. Creating a tension so electric, the metallic tapping sounds of the dancers’ footwork endure in one’s ears, leaving us questioning: what does it mean to be ‘reborn’ in this production?

Photo credit: Flamenco Agency

One interpretation of ‘reborn’ in Barcelona Flamenco Ballet is that of reconstruction. The dancers are constantly reconstructing the ambiances they produce onstage. They build up a movement, or a rhythm, with repetitive, vigorous motions – and then break it, instantly stopping, rupturing the established order, then beginning again, with a new movement, a new rhythm. In this way the rhythm itself is ‘reborn’ – constantly renewing the dynamics of the performance, keeping it fresh and alive. These transitions from the exuberant outpourings of passion to quiet moments of intimacy mean that the production is constantly in fluctuation, in a process of reinvention.

We also see the performers being ‘reborn’ through their discovery and claiming of flamenco. Initially, their formal, tight clothing restricts and restrains them. They are prevented from moving freely, every motion they make is stiff. However, as the music grows, they find a harmony between their bodies and the music – like the flamenco has helped them rediscover a part of themselves, a new part which they have been able to liberate.

Moreover, the relationship between performers and audience is found to be ‘reborn’ or reclaimed throughout Barcelona Flamenco Ballet. Due to their initial reserve, the boundaries between artist and spectator are rigid; fixed – audience are aware that it is a staged performance they are watching. However, as their performing and spirits become more liberated, the dancers and musicians open up a stronger dialogue with the audience. They become more casual and conversational with the audience. It is like the performer’s natural personality is able to come to the surface – now untainted from any distinctive ‘performer mask’. Consequently, the audience respond in a corresponding trajectory – engaging with how the performers move and with what they say. So in this way, not only are the performers reborn – but do spectators manage to find a sense of reinvention too?

Photo credit: Flamenco Agency

Barcelona Flamenco Ballet, in its monumental grandeur, possesses a symbolic, almost expressionist aspect, which is seen in its evocative use of colour. Blue stage lighting is used to highlight the quieter moments, when a dancer is performing solo – to represent solitude and reflecting the performer’s finding peace within themselves. A dark, black stage, lit by a single spotlight, portrays a moment of tension building, often with added smoke for emphasis. Most significantly, the dramatic red effects engender a sense of the unusual, the strange, or the uncanny. Red connotes a diverse number of meanings and symbols: danger, passion, fear, pain, blood – all characteristics of Spain as a nation and Spanish identity. In this way, Barcelona Flamenco Ballet is not just a dance performance – but a work of art.

Barcelona Flamenco Ballet Chinese tour will include six performances at Beijing Poly Theatre Management Co venues, three performances at Shanghai International Dance Center from 20 to 22 Dec, plus the final performances at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing from 21 to 22 Jan.

In addition, Barcelona Flamenco Ballet will return to Asia next year to perform in South Korea from 10 to 20 Nov 2020. They expect to tour around Asia from there. Join the tour! 

Click on the links below access to website:

www.flamencoagency.com

https://flamencoagency.com/barcelonaflamencoballet

Promo video in Youtube: https://youtu.be/_T7QVAPM2gs

Promo video in Youku:

https://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzk1OTUxODQ4OA==.html?spm=a1z3jc.11711052.0.0&isextonly=1