Flamenc Oh!! dance review: Flamboyant, frazzled fusion
This blend of flamenco, rock and slapstick has a high-energy, stylish elegance, but is an awkward merger of clashing genres
Described as ‘world-class flamenco with a twist’, there’s no doubting the skill and passion on display inside a sold-out Music Hall. Dancing, singing, costumes, guitar; all come together with frenetic beats, precision steps and so much heart. You don’t need to understand a word of Spanish to be swept away by songs delivered by an obvious maestro, all while marvelling at the speed of clicking heels or the cascade of castanets doing things castanets shouldn’t be able to do.
So, the flamenco is indeed ‘world-class’. But things go a little off-track with the ‘twist’, because this is dance-comedy. Can the patriarch protect his family from the winds of change (told through the medium of rock’n’roll guitar) and pass on the cane of control to the next generation? The slapstick that ensues is at odds with the finely detailed flamenco on display. True, the set-up gives us some gorgeous moments: a Rocky-style dance-off and a tender moment of reawakening are respectively technically stunning and truly moving. But broad strokes lead to broad humour and that does a disservice to a cast who are ultimately doing their best with poor material, all while producing sublime music and dance.
Flamenc Oh!!, Assembly Rooms, until 30 August, 2.15pm; picture: Pablo Lorente.