dance

Flamenco Festival London

Originating from the maze of hilly streets in the one-time Moorish citadel of Granada, soulful flamenco travels well through time and space. Here, in the ordered surrounds of Sadler’s Wells theatre it holds you in a visceral grip and beguiles you with its graceful power. Championing the musical genre in both its traditional and contemporary forms, the Flamenco Festival London plays host to a range of Spanish stars. As good to watch as to listen to, it keeps tension high and pulses racing with an art form that is inherently dramatic. Highpoints include leading flamenco guitarists Gerardo Núñez and Vicente Amigo and gypsy dancer Carmen Cortés. Sadler’s Wells likes updating a genre with an exciting twist and the two-week festival has plenty including examples of the Olga Pericet dance company’s awe-inspiring athleticism and alternative group La Shica who splice the Andalucian sound with both hip-hop and pop. / Maeve Hosea