★★★★

“The costumes are dazzling and thoroughly authentic”

It’s been a particularly wet and cool summer so far in London, and if you’ve not had a chance to escape the rain, let me suggest a trip to Flamenco/Orígenes. This show is currently playing at the Etcetera Theatre as part of the 2023 Camden Fringe Festival. There, for a brief hour, you can sit and imagine yourself, without much difficulty, in Seville, perhaps, or any other Spanish city fa-mous for its small dark spaces where you can crowd in to see authentic flamenco. It’s a treat to climb the steep stairs at the Etcetera Theatre, and be part of an enthusiastic sold out house that knows how to appreciate good music and good dancing.

Flamenco/Orígenes, presented by the Lourdes Fernandez Flamenco Company based here in London, is not just about the dancing. There’s a story attached to the seven pieces performed in this show as well. Each dance, or palos, presents a piece of the history of flamenco. From its earliest origins in India and North Africa, the Company moves through the contributions of the indigenous peoples who gave us what we now recognize as flamenco. There’s even several changes of costume to emphasize the visual component. It’s quite a feat to pull this off in such a small space (and there is a moment when a spinning shawl catches a music stand and it goes flying) but the Company manages the whole show with style and confidence. By the time the show ends with a bravura presentation of modern day flamenco, it is not just the dancers and musicians who are clapping and stamping their feet with enthusiasm. The audience has caught the energy as well, leaping to their feet with applause and cries of “Olé!”

“You are about to be transported to the warmth of another world”

This talented company consists of two dancers including Lourdes Fernandez herself, and a very accomplished band of singer, drummer, violinist and guitar. Singer Mónica García in particular captures the unique sound of flamenco, and she is very ably supported by the other musicians. The costumes are dazzling and thoroughly authentic, including the brightly coloured shawls that the dancers manage so adroitly. In short, there’s plenty of feast the eyes and ears in this show, even if it’s sometimes hard to see the footwork when seated more than a couple of rows back. I suggest sitting in the front rows, and as Lourdes herself recommends, placing your drink well back under your seat so it doesn’t get upset in all the excitement.

Flamenco/Orígenes is well worth sixty minutes of your time. It’s a welcome escape from Lon-don’s shivery summer, for an absolute bargain of a price. You may need an umbrella to get to the 2023 Camden Town Fringe Festival, but once you are inside the Etcetera Theatre, fold it up. You are about to be transported to the warmth of another world that is the unforgettable beauty of flamenco!

ALL THAT GLITTERS at the Rosemary Branch Theatre

★★½

“with some work it could be laugh out loud funny”

All That Glitters – a comedy drama set in a popular burlesque club – is the debut show from Made You Look Productions. When seasoned dancer Lexi (Kate Coulson) takes newbie Selene (Rosie Bridges) under her wing, an unlikely friendship forms. Exploring loyalty, female friendship and bodily autonomy, the show combines dance, lip sync and political commentary in its short 45-minute runtime.

Coulson and Bridges have good chemistry between them especially in the dance numbers, but their acting is unfortunately rather awkward. Conversations don’t flow naturally and the pauses for contemplation are never quite the right length of time. The characterisation of Lexi and Selene is good – we know who they are the moment they walk on stage. Selene’s character also has added intrigue as she deals with a possessive partner who doesn’t like her newfound career path.

The show’s biggest weakness however is probably its length. There isn’t quite enough time to get invested in the characters. Lexi’s plotline with the venue’s manager Crystal needs fleshing out in particular. A further 15 or 20 minutes to add more context would go a long way but the general plot is good.

The dance sequences are fine – they are best when also comic. Though a slightly outdated reference, the strongest is when Lexi and Selene dance to ABBA’s Money, Money, Money whilst wearing masks of Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt stomping on the EU flag. In addition, at the beginning of some dances, Lexi addresses the theatre audience as if we are the audience for her burlesque show. This is an enjoyable piece of engagement work and more would be welcomed.

“All That Glitters has potential”

The set is simple but used well. Three white boxes containing props and costumes are moved around the stage to make seats, platforms, something to lean on. A set of strip lights are in a square on the back wall and lit up when a dance is taking place. The stage lights are turned off and on again rapidly to signal a change in scene. These are sometimes a bit too fast and make it unclear that we have switched to a different time – especially when the characters do not change positions.

The base of both Lexi and Selene’s outfits are mini leather shorts and a bodice but layers are applied and taken off throughout the show for a variety of different outfits. Changes are done relatively quickly from behind the boxes – something larger to shield the two actors might be good for a better reveal in the future.

All That Glitters has potential. It has a fun storyline and two interesting characters to explore. You will chuckle at the script and with some work it could be laugh out loud funny. I am excited to see what Made You Look Productions do next.

FLAMENCO: ORIGENES at the Etcetera Theatre

★★★★

“The costumes are dazzling and thoroughly authentic”

“You are about to be transported to the warmth of another world”

FLAMENCO: ORIGENES at the Etcetera Theatre

Reviewed on 2nd August 2023

by Dominica Plummer

Photography – Lourdes Fernández Flamenco Company

More shows reviewed by Dominica:

Flamenco: Origenes

Flamenco: Origenes

ALL THAT GLITTERS at the Rosemary Branch Theatre

★★½

“with some work it could be laugh out loud funny”

“All That Glitters has potential”

ALL THAT GLITTERS at the Rosemary Branch Theatre

Reviewed on 2nd August 2023

by Flora Doble

Photography courtesy Made You Look

More shows reviewed by Flora:

All That Glitters

All That Glitters