Ballet Nacional de España at Sadler’s Wells Theatre review

Sadlers Wells concluded their Flamenco Festival with one of Spain’s most important dance companies, Ballet Nacional de España, for an evening entitled Invocación. The theatre was filled with London’s Spanish community supporting the theatre’s cultural endeavour to showcase the best Spain has to offer. Listening to their chatter set the mood for the evening that followed.

De lo flamenco Homenaje Mario Maya. © Javier Fergo. Ballet Nacional de Espaคa.

Invocación featured four works that cover the cornerstones of Spanish dance, from vibrant flamenco (De lo Flamenco) and traditional bolero (Invocación Bolera) to contemporary dance (Jauleña) and classical ballet (Eterna Iberia).

The evening opens with Invocación Bolera choreographed by Ruben Olmo, the company’s artistic director. The more traditional colours of Spanish dance were featured using crimsons, burnt orange as well as embellishments of hand-crafted lace and embroidery. The men wore striking bolero jackets. Those unfamiliar with the Bolero will marvel at the dancer’s skilful use of their castanets. The sheer speed of the clickety-clacks is thrilling, accentuating the pace and movements of the dancers to great effect. So impressive were the castanets it was hard to believe it wasn’t pre-recorded over the music by Manuel Busto. The tempo of the dramatic music, combined with the dance, and sheer number of dancers on stage triggered associations with Westside Story. There were some issues with the footwork timing of the female corps but hard to hold it against them as the ability to dance and use the castanets simultaneously, to me, is akin to rubbing your tummy and patting your head at the same time – difficult!

Jauleña brings together three cultures: Christian, Jewish, and Arabic with a solo performance. It is a contemporary work set on a black smoky stage. The lighting was clever in its simplicity beginning with a single large down light and smaller rows of pin lights either side, creating atmosphere without distraction. Intimacy and focus where achieved when a single white rectangular square was projected onto the stage floor creating a small stage within the larger one. The costuming departed from  the full skirts seen in the first dance and instead featuring a light chiffon material that moved beautifully with the dancer.

The ballet Eterna Iberia flows through five movements, represented in group numbers, solos, and pas de deux. Castanets reappear with the addition of the capes, and the codobes hat and flamenco shoes. The crescendo of castanets and thumping shoes on stage envelop the audience to great effect. Costumes by Yaiza Pinilos cannot go without mention, as they were exquisite. The sophisticated corset-style top widened into full-length ruffled skirts in shades representing three elements: sea, olives, and wine.  The male dancers triumphantly exit the stage with much bravado after what felt to be a testosterone filled performance.

Jauleña Jesus Robisco. Ballet Nacional de Espaคa.

Throughout the evening’s performances the dancers’ faces portrayed the emotions of the dance as much as their movements and the choreography. In the first half of the show, their facial expressions were stern and often defiant and exuding inner strength. However, pure happiness and fun took over after the interval as the mood lifts for their performance of De lo Flamenco, which pays tribute to the brilliant dancer and choreographer Mario Maya who has not previously been part of the company’s repertoire before.  

Think vibrant colours, clapping, stamping and a sea of flicking and spinning skirts.  Five flamenco singers, three guitarists and a percussionist are in a long single file along the back of the stage invigorating the dancers and elevating the performance. The all-male opening dance is performed entirely seated and is astonishingly dynamic and interesting as a result. The sheer number of dancers on stage leaves a huge impression and likely due to the explosion of colour and volume of the skirts. The skirts were so long we barely see their feet move, giving moments where the dancers in formation appeared to glide across the stage. Every flick of the skirt revealing some leg feels freeing, flirtatious, and cheeky. De lo Flamenco is a feast for the eyes and had the audience captivated.

The evening gave us so much to appreciate, enjoy and engage with - the spirit and strength of Spanish dance, live music, the beauty of the costumes (leaving us wanting to add the dresses to our wardrobes as soon as possible), The Ballet Nacional de España had the audience on their feet with rapturous applause in gratitude for a highly uplifting and entertaining evening. The Flamenco Festival is a highlight of the Sadler’s Wells calendar and well worth keeping an eye on in the future.

FLO London pre-theatre recommendations: 

FLO London highly recommends the short 8 minute walk to Exmouth market with an excellent selection of places to wine and dine. Of note Moro, Morito and Necco.

Words by Natascha Milsom