São Paulo Dance Company at Alhambra Theatre Bradford Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Dottie Rood
I was really looking forward to seeing Sa̴̴̴̴᷉o Paulo Dance Company at the Alhambra theatre in Bradford as I had seen their United Kingdom debut tour advertised on a previous visit.
The tour started on Monday 5th February 2024 in Dublin and has performed eight shows in a number of venues before arriving at Bradford. It has four more venues left plus another performance at the Alhambra tonight (Saturday 9th March 2024), The Lowry Salford Quays on Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th March 2024, Wolverhampton Grand theatre on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th March 2024, Eden Court theatre Inverness on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th March 2024 and Theatre Royal Norwich on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd March 2024.
The show had three sections performed by different dancers from a cast of twenty-two. Sa̴᷉o Paulo dance company is one of Brazil’s finest and combines Brazil’s heat and energy by fusing “elegant classical ballet with the sensuality of Latin American dance” to produce these amazing dances.
The first, Anthem, choreographed by Goyo Montera, saw fourteen of the cast perform a really emotional dance that was trying to reflect the identities and life cycles, inspired by ‘anthems’ (songs) for individuals, groups, a nation, or a generation. This was a powerful performance that used simple costumes of white with hints of body painting and very artistic lighting. It was an intense performance that lasted over 25 minutes (which fascinated my 11 year old granddaughter who couldn’t understand how they could remember all their dance moves and not make one mistake!). It held your attention with the exquisite movements portrayed and the pure emotion felt.
The second, Gnawa, choreographed by Nacho Duato who is the director of the Mikhailovsky Ballet, wasn’t quite as long but was equally emotional and dramatic in its performance. Duato was inspired by the mystical Islamic fellowship of the Gnawa people who were brought to North Africa by the Berber as slaves and using the hypnotic, ritualistic music of North Africa, brought not only the Mediterranean heat but also the colour and sensuality of Africa. Again simple costumes of black and white plus brilliant lighting was used to show the fluidity and movement of each dancer. I think this one might have been my favourite as the changes in ‘speed’ and ‘pace’ really captured my attention and kept me riveted throughout.
The third and final performance, Agora, choreographed by Cassi Abranches, was a fitting finale. Cassi Abranches uses Sebastian Piracé’ score, mixing drums and Afro-Brazilian percussion with rock music and vocals. She explores the rhythm and tempo whilst sculpting each specific movement each dances’ body produces to bring us a colourful and flirtatious performance. This was my granddaughter’s favourite as it was, “upbeat and very exciting to watch”. I also enjoyed this one as the bravery of some of the dancers when ‘elegantly’ ‘throwing’ themselves into their partners arms was spectacular to watch.
As mentioned there is another performance on tonight at the Alhambra theatre, this is a medium sized very ornate theatre in the centre of Bradford. It has comfortable seating, affordable drinks and snacks and very helpful, friendly staff. This performance was 1 hour 30 minutes including an interval.
Rating: 4/5 (due to a very short performance time)
Tickets cost from: £18.75 to £33.75 (plus booking fee of £2.75 and postage of £1.50 if applicable)
Sa̴̴̴̴᷉o Paulo Dance Company is at Alhambra Theatre Bradford
From: Friday 8th and Saturday 9th March 2024 (other dates and venues are mentioned above)
For more information or to book tickets visit: www.bradford-theatres.co.uk / danceconsortium.com
Or call box office: 01274432000
Theatre address: Alhambra Theatre Morley Street West Yorkshire Bradford BD71AJ
https://www.ents24.com/bradford-events/alhambra-theatre-and-studio/sao-paulo-dance-company/6848400
São Paulo Dance Company (2024)