Like a small bar in Barcelona

La Rosa
Arts Theatre, 210 Petrie Tce, Brisbane
July 4, 5, 6 (2 shows)
Reviewed by Robyn Marshall

Anyone who loves flamenco dance must see this performance. The opening scene is very dramatic, with five people seated against a blue-lighted backdrop as three women flamenco dancers in flaming red and black dresses begin to dance. The Spanish singer Manolo Munoz begins in that high-pitched, almost Arabic, sound and the fast rhythmic, foot-stamping with the swirling of gorgeous skirts begins and hardly ever stops for the first half of the show.

Flamenco originated in southern Spain. The main cultural influences were Arabic, north Indian, Jewish and Byzantine. In the 15th century, Roms (Gypsies), Jews and Arabs became the victims of the Spanish Inquisition. In order to escape the slavery, execution and burning, these ethnic groups hid in the rugged mountains of Andalusia. It is thought by many historians that the word flamenco is derived from the Arabic words, felag, meaning peasant and mengu, meaning fugitive.

As the Roms intermarried with the Andalusians, a rich and complex song, dance, percussion and guitar form evolved that is now associated with modern flamenco.

Nella Randone, La Rosa's lead female dancer and the creator of the choreography, is excellent, as is her partner, Dino. The three other women dancers, Jenny Bop, Yolanda Fernandez and Helen Luxor, probably could have had a bigger role.

The second half was too short, so the interval should be eliminated or else the last section somehow made to finish with a flourish, Nevertheless, one felt one was in a small Spanish bar in Barcelona, drinking wine and eating tapas. A great experience, especially as it's so seldom we get the chance to see flamenco performed with such skill and fervour.

From GLW issue 237