The spotlight falls on a solitary male figure. His arms are raised in the stance of a matador. A guitar begins to strum. The man's feet tap, faster and louder. And then he erupts, breaking into a tour-de-force of flamenco. Cadiz is seventy minutes of breathtaking choreography, created and performed by Jesus Fernandez, the world renowned bailaor.
But what is flamenco? We all know its a Spanish dance that conquered the world. Today, apparently, there are more flamenco academics in Japan than the Iberian peninsula. Less people are aware though, that its origins are in the music of the Spanish romani or gypsies and it can be traced back to the 1700s. In fact, in 2010 UNESCO declared flamenco one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. How, then, does Jesus turn this venerable tradition into modern theatre?
The stage is bare but for a draped fishing net. Only the quintessential elements of the art form accompany Jesus on his marathon. First is the flamenco guitar or toque, played by Jesus Nunez. Haunting chords that evoke the balmy nights of Andalusia. The next element is song or cante, performed here by Francisco Trinidad. When he walks on stage and belts out his dark, mournful melodies, the hairs of your neck tingle. Flamenco vocals seem reminiscent of the Islamic call to prayers and perhaps hint at Spain's Moorish heritage. Both contain that stirring of the soul, the mystery of life, the certainty of death. The heart simultaneously aches and rejoices. And lastly comes the palmas, the percussive beat of clapping hands, provided here by Anabel Moreno and Isabel Mera.
So, guitar, song and clapping are the foundations upon which Jesus builds his incredible performance. The routines are loosely inspired by the ancient alleys and shadowy docks of his hometown, Cadiz. For over an hour Jesus taps, struts, poses, and spins around the stage. Drama, vigour, sexual energy, melancholy, joy, the whole tapestry of life is there in his movements. If nothing else, Jesus' sheer physical stamina makes the evening remarkable.
In conclusion, Jesus Fernandez shares his passion for flamenco in a virtuoso display of ability and strength. Furthermore, judging from the cries of 'ole' from the back rows, the local Spanish community were out in force. Their enthusiasm was infectious, breaking the ice for theatregoers of a more restrained Anglo-Saxon sensibility. Don't worry if your Spanish is not good enough to follow the lyrics. The sheer spectacle of Jesus' dance will send you out into the night with a renewed lust for life.
The Djanogly Theatre presented Cadiz at Lakeside Arts on Tuesday 5 May 2015.
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