Flamenco trailblazers Rojas & Rodriguez let Naima Khan in on the inspiration behind their new set Cambio de Tercio at Sadler's Wells
Rojas and Rodriguez are the collective force behind Nuevo Ballet Espanol and they're bringing their inspiring dance, dazzling costumes and dashing Il Divoesque looks to London for the Flamenco Festival at Sadler's Wells. The guys were kind enough to take some time out of rehearsals to answer a few curiously translated questions.
What have your experiences of the UK been like? What stands out? And what are you looking forward to seeing/experiencing again?
We always feel at home on London stages, the audience comes charged with positive energy. With this latest production – which we are really proud of – we won't disappoint our fans and will continue to be recognised as innovators of Spanish flamenco.
Due to the success achieved in the last two seasons with Sangre Flamenca at the Peacock Theatre, our experiences in London have always been very pleasant
Through past shows we were able to enjoy the reactions of an audience devoted to our choreography and our way of understanding Spanish dance and flamenco.
Nuevo Ballet Espanol is without a doubt one of the most forward moving contemporary dance companies with its roots in such a traditional, culturally inspired art form. Who and what inspires your innovations?
Through our experience and research of Flamenco dance, many companies and choreographers have motivated us and thanks to them, we have managed to find our own language.
Jose Granero has been our master who taught us to love dance, to be strict, respectful and persistent. Later on Jose Antonio, the current director of Ballet Nacional de Espana, gave us the chance to choreograph his company, to dance with leading dancers and therefore to admire companies as Cullberg Ballet under the direction of Mats Ek, Netherlans Dans Teather or William Forsythe’s productions.
We got to renew Spanish dance and made it cool, whilst still respecting the tradition. I think that we have made it more accessible for a younger generation.
For the many people who will be experiencing flamenco for the first time at the London Festival this year, can you explain what distinguishes NBE from more traditional dance?
What makes Rojas and Rodriguez Company different from others is that it merges two different views of contemporary flamenco dance. All our work is inspired and created by two creators, it is a complimentary art where one contributes with the earth and another with the air.
Rojas and Rodriguez are two leading dancers within the same show with 4 female soloist dancers, 8 wonderful musicians and a vintage wardrobe inspired by the golden times of Flamenco of the 1960s and '70s with avant-garde touches.
The wardrobe is different and unexpected. How would you define the creative moment when that idea came out?
The wardrobe proposal was ours (Rojas and Rodriguez). We wanted to pay tribute to previous generations. We thought it was funny to present a renewed dance mixed with more contemporary ways of dance inspired by the tablaos of the '60s and '70s.
The election of the designer was crucial. We found we had a great degree of affinity with Vicente Soler. He knew how to provide us with what we wanted to show. We wanted to modernise what was old. We think that the wardrobe is what gives the highest personality to our show Cambio de Tercio.
The live music is captivating. It intensifies the production. What we can expect from the live music of your new show?
It's a surprise! It's the originality and creativity of the company musicians and choreographers that makes this show distinctive and innovative.
Finally, what does the future hold for Nuevo Ballet Espanol?
We're in a really good moment. We think this show is the best that we have done together, "Rojas y Rodriguez" as creators. We are looking forward to entertaining the audiences which we will visit across 5 continents, we want to make them quiver with excitement. We aim to reach places where we have never danced before, to be able to grow up as artists and to be able to continue to create shows with the passion, hope and respect.
Rojas & Rodriguez perform Cambio de Tercio as part of the Flamenco Festival at Sadler’s Wells from 13.02.10 until 27.02.10
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