Monday 20 October 2008

Flamenco Flamen'ka ** - TNT

Two brothers fall in love with the same woman and the result is tragedy in this dance drama based on The Intruder, a short story by the Argentinean writer Jorge Luis Borges.
The set – an alcoved Spanish square – is attractive, but the tale of prostitute Juliana and the jealous siblings proves disappointingly banal with its mix and match choice of music which breaks the atmosphere created by flashing knives, ferociously stamping heels and smouldering sexual resentment.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood directs a production which was originally conceived by Karen Ruimy, but lets her get away with a handful of averagely sung songs and (when she steps outside her role as the madam of the bordello) some irredeemably dire dialogue.
The show takes itself far too seriously to sustain such a flimsily developed and muddled storyline, and it’s left to Francisco Hidalgo and Manuel Gutierrez Cabello, almost driven apart by their shameful desire, to demonstrate just how dangerously seductive flamenco - and brotherly love - can be.
Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue W1 (0870-040 0081). November 15. £21- £50.50

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