Maria Pages is the “dancer with endless arms”; her new production ‘Autorretrato’ is her self-portrait.
She begins in front of a mirror, her movements slow and strong, immediately intimidating and endearing at once. Before us is one of the most inspiring women in flamenco, whose longevity alone is astounding. The Maria Pages Dance Company is entering its twentieth year and celebrating with a world tour, bringing flamenco to the modern masses. Pages is a firm believer in cultural exchange providing a better understanding of ourselves as human beings and she has encapsulated this in the spectacular blend of tradition and idiosyncrasy that is Autorretrato.
Standing before a gargantuan mirror Maria stares quizzically at herself; examines her strengths, and grows curiouser and curiouser about her own capabilities. Like an excited, stubborn child, she sets out to see what she can do. Her flexuous arms form a whirlpool around her head and her every curve seems to move at once while we slowly become aware of the other people on stage. They sit captivated and through live music and singing, rhythmically pass comment on her movements.
So expressive and seemingly spontaneous are Maria's manoeuvres that it becomes difficult to wrap your head around the idea that each flick of a wrist and roll of a shoulder is carefully choreographed to reflect different aspects of her nature. She begins by hinting at a determined youth, free and fervent. She is a well-placed contrast to the rest of her dancers whose beguiling, cadenced show-downs are more familiar.
What lingers about this show is its unexpected elements. Surprising, epochal comedy takes centre stage throughout, and though the props appear simple, they have been masterfully placed for full effect. Giant picture frames appear on stage to encase a series of mysterious tableaux and Maria's mirror chases her around the stage: she can't take her eyes off herself, while we are provided with a double image of her grace. At one point, she dons a shawl, trimmed with long tassels and almost takes flight as she spreads these new-found wings.
If you see any dance theatre this year, see this.
Photo Credit: Victoria Hidalgo
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