After the huge success of Movimientos: La danza de la punta al tacón, the Fundación Antonio Gades returns to the Teatro Real with a new production that is suitable for all ages. The Foundation draws on its history of fostering dance where, without using words, text and theatre convene. There is an educational component which introduces us to the different disciplines which make up Spanish dance: the bolero tradition, danza estilizada, folk dances, and of course the most universal of all, flamenco. An exciting, poetic journey through Spanish dance, evoking its sources, styles, schools, costumes, and first and foremost, the recreated essence of each era, beginning with the early Baroque. Inspired by the theatrical approach of the works of Antonio Gades, Hugo Pérez de la Pica has devised a show which celebrates the substance and variety of Spanish dance. His team includes Dominique You in lighting design, Mayte Chico in choreography, and Stella Arauzo as artistic director of the Compañía Antonio Gades.

Beginning with a theatrical narrative structure, a series of choreographies on the Teatro Real stage recall historical dances like the Pavane and the Chacona, the famous Escuela Bolera, Spain’s diverse folk dances, danza estilizada, and finally, flamenco. To combine this diversity in styles and choreographic languages in a one-hour educational show, the creators opted to use music by Spanish composers for piano and harpsichord. These were adapted for the keyboard by Mikhail Studyonov, who plays the pieces on stage. Alongside are guitarist Antonio Solera and the cantaores Juañares and Juañarito  who alternate performances. Performing artists Mayte Chico, Miguel Lara, Álvaro Madrid, Esmeralda Manzanas, Ana del Rey, Jairo Rodríguez, Luisa Serrano and Pepe Vento remember Antonio de Cabezón, Juan de Arañés, Tomás Bretón and Isaac Albéniz in their choreographies, as well as traditional melodies from folk dance and flamenco.

The poetic text running through the show, written by Pérez de la Pica, is inspired by and exalts dance. It celebrates and moves with the music and the choreography, summoning  different atmospheres with the words of the narrative, which transcend their simpler meaning. Understanding the text is less important than experiencing its rise and fall, rhythm and tone.