Compañía María Pagés hits the ground running at the Joyce Theater

Choreography: María Pagés. Direction
& Lighting Design: José María Sánchez.
Set Design & Costumes: Christian Olivares.
Dancers:María Pagés & Ángel
Muñoz, María Morales, Sonia Fernández, Mar
Jurado, Leticia Calatayud, Christina Carrión, Emilio Herrera,
José Barrios, Abel Harana, Alberto Ruiz. Music:
Ana Ramón, Cantaora, José Antonio Carrillo “Fiti”,
guitar Luiz Miguel Manzano, guitar Francisco Alcalde,
percussion

Sometimes, attending a flamenco performance can be a little like
waiting for a plane to take off from the runway. Waiting, anticipating,
asking yourself “When is this thing going to “happen”???
And somewhere along the third piece maybe there's a small glimmer
of inspiration.

But with Compañía María Pagés this
is never the case, because they hit the ground running and never
miss a beat for the entire performance. Solid concept marries fabulous
style backed by virtuosity of talent. One can only gasp number after
number.

Act
One, “El Perro Andaluz. Burlerías” may have premiered
a few years ago in Spain, but it's presentation of a surrealist's
dream was on the mark! Since I have already reviewed “Flamenco
Republic” previously I will review Act One only.

(Editor's Note: La Gata will also offer her impressions of the
show, both acts in New York buzz – so you can gather a different
perspective.)

Solid concept marries fabulous style
backed by virtuosity of talent

Opening with “Before Night Falls”, an eerily-haunting
number set to bodies and motion, contrasting with shadows and light
engaged the audience almost immediately. “15 Chants Juifs”
followed with exotic Sephardic/Gypsy violin strains, and segued
into Ida y Vuelta.

The combination of traditional flamenco melding with highly stylized
dance moves was executed so successfully as only Compañía
María Pagés can effect. This is one flamenco dance
company which knows where and when to divert the path and yet create
art that is worthy of respect and admiration as opposed to lesser
artists' visions which are often ridiculed.

And speaking of vision, this “flamenco aficionada-cum-tanguera”
marveled at the incredible tango music of by Astor Piazolla. “Contrabajismo”,
performed by Sra. Pagés together with the “bailior-brujo”
Ángel Muñoz mesmerized, thrilled, and seduced me with
light, shadow, costume, sensual connection, and brilliant technical
prowess. The entire company joined these two in a syncopation to
every note in the piece, something awesome in scope and as difficult
to engineer as the first space shuttle. Oh how I wished the entire
show was this tango-flamenco “affair de coeur”! But we
were all left catching our breath as it ended all too soon.

Homage was paid to the classic American blues stylist Tom Waits
with yet another synchronized to the beat number called “Pasties
and G-Strings”. This little gem left the woman in front of
me so “riled up” I thought she'd start to levitate from
her chair and hover over the theatre, so absolutely delighted was
she as evinced from her emphatic exclamations!

“La Leyenda del Tiempo closed the first half with outstanding
Andalusian style (read. down ‘n dirty) dancing which was totally
insolent and yet just light-hearted enough to make us smile like
an adoring grandparent who has encountered a child's mischief .

The program states: “El Perro Andaluz. Burlerías”
is inspired by the Surrealism movement and also by all those who
dared to free the Arts from their ties” and continues, “El
Perro Andaluz. Burlerías” treats Flamenco by confronting
it with other arts and thus demonstrating how Flamenco can be more
expressive when it crosses over the limits that tradition imposed
on it.”

As for the particular talents and beauty of the performers, well,
you all know my opinion of this company whom I have had the pleasure
of experiencing for a number of years.

María Pagés is “surreal” with her extremities
of rubber: arms, hands, legs, even hips, which move a sensual, languid
flow unlike any other flamenco dancer on the stage today. She casts
a spell upon the viewer, her grace and almost superhuman suppleness
seemingly miraculous in a younger woman takes on a divine quality
in this true diva of the dance stage.

Next – that archetype of the perfect male flamenco dancer Ángel
Muñoz… is handsome, masculine, yet with the face of an
angel, the strength of an athlete, and the control of a brain surgeon.

Sr. Muñoz typifies for this writer, the “ideal”
male flamenco dancer – and he has NEVER disappointed. (On another
note, his show “Robándole al Alma” is on my wish-list.
Hope he gets to bring it to the US soon.)

Ángel Muñoz…the face
of an angel, the strength
of an athlete and the control of a brain surgeon.

Beautiful and truly “Gitana” in appearance, another noticeable
dancer who is growing in skill is María Morales, who along
with the rest of the young ladies, complement and grace the company
with their talent and incredible teamwork.

Supporting male dancers Emilio Herrera & José Barrios
are only growing in their skills and style. It is a true pleasure
to see them each year, growing both within the company and as individual
artists. Emilio and José had their hands full in the Second
Act: Flamenco Republic where they “challenge” Pagés
to a “duel” of percussion.

(Editor's Note: This bears mention as it is an updated version
of this piece from Flamenco Republic last seen performed by the
late Manuel Soler.)

Stepping into the hard-to-fill shoes of the late Sr. Soler (beloved
by all in the flamenco world and sorely missed) they answered Sra.
Pages' formidable command of castanets with their own handling of
canes, further complemented by the entire company at the end of
the piece with world-class syncopated rhythm.

If you have never heard the young and talented cantaora Ana Ramón
sing – then for no other reason than that you must see this show!
Along with guitarists “Fiti” and Luis Miguel Manzano,
these musicians serve up a plate of musical tapas so tasty and filling
one can hardly eat afterwards for days.

Always blown away by this tremendous show and its performers, María
I salute you for another job well done. May you never fail to please!

Mari Katsigianis in New York