Text: Sara Arguijo
Photos: Adam Newby
Cante: Antonio Villar, Mary Vizarraga and Pepe de Pura. Guitar: Román Vicente. Percussion: Polito. Guest artists: Lole de los Reyes (dance), Juan El Negro (cante), Pepe Fernández (guitar) and La Maya (violin) – Teatro Quintero de Sevilla – March 31st, 2016
Farruquito's fiesta
Farruquito is a guaranteed brand-name. That's why it makes no difference what he has to offer, audience euforia will always be the same. He is the grand master of one of the most imitated schools of flamenco dance, and he is firm and steady in the style no one pulls off like him, while not looking like anyone else. Farruquito is Farruquito, and he is incredible.
And so it was on Thursday with the show being presented three days at the Teatro Quintero in Seville. A work with no more title than that of the star dancer, Juan Manuel Fernández Montoya, and in which he felt right at home. A frenetic fiesta for which he surrounded himself, in addition to the regular line-up, with young talent to whom he wished to give an opportunity, after a casting call in the social networks, “because there's room for everyone” he said.
So this time, Farruquito was mentor and orchestra director bringing everyone together: the promising dancer Lole de los Reyes who was strong and racial, the moving flamenco voice of Juan el Negro, the delicate French guitar of Pepe Fernández and the oriental violin of La Maya.
And he, in the most natural and relaxed manner, trying things out, improvising and enjoying himself at every moment. In alegrías, siguiriyas, soleá and bulerias, he enjoyed dancing the way he likes best, and triggered ovations with his pirouettes, almost acrobatic, endless footwork and countless twists that you can't imagine how he makes them come out right.
There is no question that the more you know, the better you dance. And his astonishing self-assurance grabs even the most savvy. It's as if the center of his entire life were in his right foot. As if he could stop time at will.
In actual fact, the neat one hour of the show felt short, many people expected to see more of the star, and there were technical problems, such as a curtain that didn't quite close, inadequate lighting and sound problems that greatly diminished the show. But Farruquito stomps his heel, and everyone forgets the glitches.
