Flamenco Fest at Saddlers Wells wows audiences

Photo credit: Em Mayson

The Flamenco Festival at Saddlers Wells began at an outstanding note with three generations of Flamenco dancers coming together to render a first-class act. Merche Esmeralda, Belen Maya and Rocio Molina return again after rousing success last year with Gala Flamenca Mujeres . Each a master at their craft seemlessly create a single show along with award-winning songstress Diana Navarro, bringing English audiences closer to Spain than ever before.

The introductory act itself sets the tone. A clean stage-set up with no props, excellent live musicians and complete focus on each of the three performers. Individual spotlights on each of the three revealed their style instantly.

Merche Esmeralda was the Grand Dame of the night. Clearly sharing the same podium with younger dancers did not diminish her demeanour even the slightest. Since 1968, she has been one of the most sought flamenco dancers. The first act had her twirling a white triangular shawl over her shoulders. The shapes created with the movement are mesmerizing.

Esmeralda stood proud, sometimes haughty as she delivered her first solo - a melancholic slow piece. Her face remained her strongest feature. Agony marked her expressions, making her almost statuesque. She was wearing a conservative full-sleeve light-pink dress with long frills. When she lifts her skirt, the pink gives way bright green frills and shoes revealing brilliant footwork. However her second piece along with Navarro is the stronger one. This one is more joyous, Esmeralda's face lit up with youthful innocence as she used three chairs to create a bed and possibly a chaise long.

Photo credit: Luis Castilla

Belen Moya revealed her contemporary side in her first minute of her solo piece, different from the other two. Daughter of two reknowned flamenco dancers Mario Maya (who has choreographed this show) and Carmen Mora, her genealogy and experience was visible throughout the performance. The music in this piece progressed quickly to faster beats, increasingly violent. Moya's eyes challenge the audiences; powerful with an attitude is an apt description of her act.

Another interesting aspect is the changing stage arrangement of the singers and musicians. For the introductory act, they were behind a black translucent curtain, but for Rocio Molina and Belen Maya's duet, they are placed at the four corners of the stage.

Molina is the surprise package. The 23 year-old stands her ground with some astonnishing fluid movements. Together with Maya, her lines are precise and in perfect sync with the music, right down to the claps by the musicians. They prance around each other, come together, separate use the singers like a pole and provide the most entertaining performance of the evening. Her solo which was the longest was greeted by the loudest cheers from the audiences. If Esmeralda showed off her experience with her facial expressions, Molina does it with her flexible petite body movements.

Dianna Navarro's raw and soulful voice adds to gala. Although there are times you wish the back up vocal singer sung instead of her intruding Esmeralda's performance wearing something out of a carpet. The grand finale with all three in dressed in red got a standing ovation.

For six years Saddlers Wells has been playing host to the Flamenco Festival. And judging by audience responses and the many 'Ole!' shouted out, it should have most many more to come