Compañía Mercedes Ruiz review – classy ode to classical flamenco

Sadler’s Wells, LondonIt may seem a little tame compared to some offerings at this year’s Flamenco festival but this is an elegant display of traditional styleThe most compelling parts of Mercedes Ruiz’s show Romancero del Baile Flamenco (Ballads of Flamenco Dance) might be the ones danced in silence. Take the opening, where she appears in pale rose dress, partner José Maldonado in dusky pink, and they circle each other, eyes locked, not predatory but sweet, coquettish and companionable, and all attention is quietly drawn to them.That’s no disrespect to the musicians – a simple set-up with singer David Lagos, guitarist Santiago Lara and palmas (hand claps) provided by twins Antonio and Manuel Montes Saavedra. It’s only that Ruiz’s show is the antidote to the full-volume, all-feet-firing, tearing-one’s-heart-out onslaught of much virtuoso flamenco. Continue reading...

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