BANDALUZIA FLAMENCO: An Exhilarating Dance Experience ~ Adelaide Fringe 2020 Review  

[MUSIC/World Dance ~ AUS] Ukiyo at Gluttony, Tue 10 Feb. It began quite unassumingly. A lone guitarist announcing his standard Flamenco warm-up piece. Before long his fingers were flying at ridiculous speeds across the strings – particularly his picking hand. With unerring accuracy. He was joined by violin and percussion (percussion box and hand clapping) for some more mood setting arrangements, before BANDALUZIA’s dancers step on to the powdered dance floor. The energy goes up several notches as they strut, stomp, and swirl with elegance and poise. The final dance by Rosalie Cocchiaro was extraordinary. Her control of rhythm is hard to believe as she inhabits the music playing behind her, and also appears to drive the tempo and drama of the live musicians working with her in perfect synch. Flamenco is such an astounding expression of culture. It exudes passion and sensuality. And as BANDALUZIA show, it relies on a group energy to take it to its heights – vocalised expressions of joy, hand clapping, foot stomping, or just swaying to the rhythms all contributes to a mood that encourages dancers and musicians to push for the limits. We lost power about two thirds into the show but no matter. Emergency lighting and some help from audience phones was all that was needed and it actually created an even more intimate atmosphere. An exhilarating experience. 4.5 stars Michael Coghlan BANDALUZIA FLAMENCO continues at Ukiyo at Gluttony from 7.20pm until Sun 15 Mar. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #ADLfringe #Gluttony2020 Presented by Flamenqueando Productions – Rosalie Cocchiaro