SÃO Paulo Dance Company is at the forefront of the South American contemporary dance scene. Its virtuoso dancers pair “a ferocious contemporary technique with the rhythmic physicality of Latin American dance”.
This spring sees the company’s UK debut, with a varied programme of work from three choreographers rooted in Latin American or Spanish culture. The triple bill is at the Alhambra on Friday, March 8 (with post-show Q&A) and Saturday, March 9.
Since it was founded by Brazil’s state government in 2008, São Paulo Dance Company has been under the leadership of charismatic artistic director Inês Bogéa. A dancer, film-maker and writer, Bogéa is widely credited with having built a world class classically-trained company which has produced more than 100 dance works. The new show comprises:
* Anthem: Epic, emotionally-charged dance created by Goyo Montero, resident choreographer with Cuba’s Acosta Danza, for an ensemble of 14 dancers. Anthem reflects on life-cycles and collective identities, inspired by songs that become hymns - anthems - for an individual, a group, a generation or a nation. Montero’s frequent collaborator Owen Belton provides an uplifting soundscore.
* Gnawa: Sensually harmonious, created by Nacho Duato, artistic director of the Mikhailovsky Ballet. He draws on the Mediterranean colours and flavours of Valencia for a dancework powered by the hypnotic, ritualistic music of North Africa created by seven composers. Duato was inspired by the mystical Islamic fellowship of the Gnawa people, brought to North Africa by the Berber as slaves.
* Agora: Brazilian choreographer Cassi Abranches’ colourful and flirtatious dance provides an exhilarating finale. A commission from Abranches, former dancer with acclaimed Brazilian company, Grupo Corpo, it explores time and rhythm, sculpting the movement of each dancer’s body to percussive beats and bass grooves of a score mixing drums and Afro-Brazilian percussion with rock music and vocals.
São Paulo Dance Company director Inês Bogéa says: “In 1994, I had the pleasure to tour British theatres as a dancer with Grupo Corpo. It was a very intense time, full of art and exchange of experiences. Thirty years later, I am thrilled to be back. I thank Dance Consortium and everyone who is making this tour possible.”
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