SULTRY AND SENSUAL ‘CARMEN’ STUNS AT SADLER’S WELLS

By Rachel Cameron-Potter | Stuff Rachel Says ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

For the first time, George Bizet’s renowned opera Carmen takes to the stage as an extended ballet, produced by Carlos Acosta and performed by Cuban dance company Acosta Danza.

Based on Prosper Mérimée’s novella of the very same name, the timeless classic tells the story of jealousy and obsession, with Acosta’s version in particular focusing on a “triangle of deception and betrayal” between Carmen, Don José and Escamillio.

The tragic tale follows Carmen (Laura Rodriguez), a free-spirited gypsy girl who, after successfully seducing soldier Don José in a sensual cage dance to the infamous ‘Habanera’, grows tired of her fling and turns her attention to dashing toreador Escamillo (Enrique Corrales). Overcome by his obsession, Don José stabs Carmen in a jealous rage before sinking to the floor, cradling her lifeless body in his arms.

In Acosta’s rendition, The Bull — a character performed by Acosta himself — can be seen watching the events unfold ominously from the centre of a large circle at the back of the stage. Although passive in most scenes, The Bull is positioned as Destiny and Master of Ceremonies, pulling the strings and shaping the fates of the characters on the stage, even at one point positioning Carmen and Don José’s limbs in a freeze-frame before the scene commences.

While I enjoyed The Bull’s position as storyteller — starting the show with Carmen already stabbed before rewinding to reveal how the events unfolded — I didn’t quite like the idea that the fate of the characters was set in stone. Rather, it felt at odds with the fiery Carmen, who seemingly accepts her fate in a duet with The Bull, and reduces Don José from a passionate, spurned lover to a helpless victim, skulking around the stage in the final scene until he and Carmen are alone.

Nonetheless, Acosta Danza were remarkable, with by far some of the best dancing I’ve ever seen. Fusing classical dance with contemporary style, this revamped ballet had a modern edge that gave the performance heaps of energy, most notably in the tavern scene, where bottles tossed skilfully between dancers in this animated number made for a thrilling watch.

There was also a raunchy edge to this performance, imperative for a story centred around passion. The strip tease at the beginning of the ballet, performed by a group of men trying to win Carmen’s affection, not only sets the tone for the performance, but shows the audience this rendition of Carmen won’t be sanitised — we were in for a brazen depiction of desire that would have had Bizet’s contemporary audience clutching their pearls.

As for the leading lady, Laura Rodriguez absolutely delighted as Carmen, capturing the sassy, sensual personality of the protagonist while pulling off some pretty impressive moves without so much as a hair out of place. She also did a fantastic job conveying Carmen’s emotions on stage, from desire to apathy to rage, adding complexity to a character that could easily have been reduced to a fickle, fallen woman.

Acosta’s rendition of Carmen is one to remember for its vivacity and verve, and would benefit from being performed alongside a live orchestra instead of a recording over the speakers. Nonetheless, Acosta Danza brought a highly energetic, modern edge to Bizet’s classic score, and is definitely worth the watch.

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