House of Flamenka ★★★★

By The Recs RCD 2 years ago

House of Flamenka fuses the finest contemporary and Flamenco dancing in a sizzling, decadent evening of entertainment.

Legendary West End doyenne of dance and much-missed Strictly judge, Dame Arlene Phillips has joined forces with equally legendary Flamenco star Karen Ruimy to create a sizzling new dance spectacular at the Peacock Theatre. Fusing contemporary dance choreography by James Cousins with Flamenco choreography by Francisco Hidalgo, they have created a movement explosion greater than the sum of its parts.

Not only is this a dance extravaganza, there is also a “story”. Karen Ruimy is, we are told, The Goddess of music and dance who collects beautiful things and, naturally, her House of Flamenka is chock-full of twenty strapping male dancers plus two musicians primed to entertain her. Deity goals!

© Pamela Raith Photography

The show starts in the aforementioned house which is lavish and opulent with gilt frames, plush furnishings and lots of swags, which introduces us to the louche 24-hour party vibe which is exactly what the House of Flamenka is all about. It soon becomes clear that Karen The Goddess is in her element displaying her boys her prized processions. She holds court throughout, strutting like a fabulous peacock around her house whilst singing, changing her outfits and throwing some delicious Spanish lines. 

What soon becomes apparent is that the dance is the star of the show rather than the narrative, which exists to hang on some truly skilful routines. There are high octane group numbers accompanied by Latin belters such as Pete Rodriguez’s I Like It Like That and Stromae’s Alors En Danse , which showcase both the Flamenco and contemporary dancers in the troupe. By contrast, there are some evocative stripped-back moments where solo dancers get to show off their individual dance talents with just the Goddess’s two musicians playing percussion. Both styles help shape light and shade into the show. Sections dedicated to prop-work such as Hats, Fans, Skirts and (spoilers) Pink Feather Dusters add range and variety to the repertoire. And that’s just in Act One alone.

The “story” has not been forgotten and makes a reappearance in the second act as we are presented with a stage that has been stripped of all former opulence. It’s not that the cost of living crisis has hit the House of Flamenka! It seems that the other gods (your guess is as good as ours) are not amused by Karen’s the Goddess’s contempt and disobedience and therefore have decided that she and her boys her prized possessions must be punished. This is change of fortune is signified by everyone now dressed in black. Pink feather dusters begone!

During these dark times (the show, not Liz Truss’s premiership), we witness stunning ensemble work including a mesmerising contemporary routine with chairs (black, of course), a comic clicks-and-castnets section and some exemplary cape-work. This is also the moment where Karen and choreographer Francisco Hidalgo playing alpha-male Paco get to demonstrate why they are Flamenco superstars with show-stopping routines to the obvious delight of the Peacock audience.

For reasons that may have eluded this reviewer, the gods didn’t stay mad forever, and colour is soon restored to the House. A joyous, epicurean atmosphere returns, with the final section of the show channeling celebration. Who could resist the exuberance of all twenty dancers taking to the stage in an irresistible, spectacular Flamenco fiesta finale?

Whether you are a seasoned dance lover or are keen to dip your toe in the water, you will be thoroughly entertained by a dizzying evening partying with the Goddess and boys in her House of Flamenka. With its infectious beats, top notch routines and world class dancing, click your Flamenco heels along to the Peacock Theatre for a riotous, seductive night out.

Come worship the Goddess of dance and music on a sexy, thrilling night out – ★★★★ (4 Stars)

House of Flamenka Tickets

House of Flamenka runs at the Peacock until 8 October

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