WORK ROOTED IN TRADITION YET ALIVE WITH INTEGRATED EXCHANGE

By Madeleine Anderson ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

Solera, created by Flamenco virtuoso Paco Peña and directed by Jude Kelly, is a work rooted in tradition yet alive with intergenerational exchange. Drawing on the Spanish concept of “solera,” from suelo, meaning ground, the piece takes inspiration from the Andalusian wine-making system in which young wine passes through older barrels, absorbing depth and character. Here, that process becomes a metaphor for craftsmanship and performance, nurturing young talent while honouring the mastery of experience.

This relationship is established immediately. The production opens in a rehearsal studio setting, where younger and older dancers and musicians share the space with visible respect and attentiveness. There is a sense that everyone on stage is both student and teacher, listening as much as performing. As the piece develops, the movement grows increasingly intricate and precise, yet from the outset each step carries a striking emotional rawness that reaches beyond the stage.

Even in solo moments, no performer is alone. Dancers and singers are framed by others in soft, curved huddles, their presence felt through rhythmic clapping that functions as both percussive accompaniment and affirmation. In flamenco, to be seen is to be moved with, and here that principle is embodied fully. The performers are generous, deeply connected, and constantly responsive to one another.

The second act introduces a shift in tempo and tone. Where the rehearsal scenes favour simple, darker costumes, there is a welcome expansion into more traditional flamenco aesthetics, accompanied by extended passages of Spanish guitar and percussion. This contrast broadens the scope of the piece, highlighting the range and richness of the form, though a stronger visual punch earlier on might (with brighter and more colourful costume and staging) would have deepened the impact of this change in the second act. Dancer Gabriel Matías stands out for his precise and playful movements. His style contrasts with the older and less assertive Ángel Muñoz, whose rhythm is looser. Their differences speak directly to the production’s central theme, the balancing of discipline and freedom, youth and experience.

Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company: Solera was performed at Sadler’s Wells from 2 to 4 April.

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Photo Credit: Elliott Franks