At the tail end of a sweltering week in London, Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía brought even more heat to Sadler’s Wells as part of the Flamenco Festival. One of the closing acts, this company of dancers, singers and musicians nearly took the roof off the theatre. During the stunning opening sequence with a 15-strong cast moving in perfect sync, my sister and I kept wanting to break into applause. Meanwhile, they were just getting warmed up.
If you didn’t know anything about flamenco, this would be the perfect introduction. Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía is the official representative of flamenco in Andalusia. Their work spans traditional and modern flamenco, while encompassing other regional art forms including literature and music.
Earlier this year, my sister took me on a birthday trip to Andalusia’s capital, Seville, known as the birthplace of flamenco. We got to see a fantastic close-up show at a tablao in the Triana neighbourhood, a proper bucket list experience for me.
A Feast of Flamenco
Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía transported us back to Seville and beyond with an absolute feast of flamenco palos (styles). Tierra Bendita (Blessed Land) crosses real and imagined borders, mixing iconic dances and ancient quejíos (laments) with fresh music and choreography.
The production is made up of distinct chapters that each feel like a complete show. Each has its own title, its own unique stamp or signature. It covers everything from quick-paced bulerías to emotive tangos, playful tanguillos to folksy fandangos. I especially enjoyed the couple dancing in Paseo de los Tristes, a passionate and poignant duet in the granaínas style (traditionally from Granada).
Flamenco is primarily a Romani art form, something that speaks directly from and to their history of migration and marginalisation. It’s also a joyful blend of cultural influences ranging from Indian roots to Arab, Jewish, Latin American, West and North African, Portuguese and even Caribbean. As a woman of West African origin, so much of it feels like home: from the conversational polyrhythms to the soulful singing, the communal dancing and the overall swagger.
Artistic director and primary dancer Patricia Guerrero is a multi award-winning dancer and choreographer who’s worked with legends like Carlos Saura. She becomes the focal point in Fiesta En La Gloria, a performance of solo dance and spoken word with music from Jesús Rodriguez on guitar and Manuel de Gines on vocals.
Guerrero commands the stage with such flair and feeling that you get swept along, even if you can’t understand the lyrics (written by Manuel Benítez Carraco). She’s a formidable artist but it’s her choreography that owns this production.
The big dance numbers matched with colourful art direction are reminiscent of Broadway musicals like West Side Story or An American in Paris. There are some gorgeous set pieces: for instance the Del Cabo A La Alcazaba starring the men in snappy suits and brimmed hats. They smoothly make way for the women’s cast dancing up a storm in yellow ruffled flamenco dresses and embroidered shawls. This piece is called Plaza de Las Flores and it deserves all the flowers.
Another highlight was Encarnacion featuring David Chupete in a castanets solo. I’ve never heard anyone play castanets like this. The level of skill, speed and dexterity made me wonder what I’ve been doing with my hands all these years!
My only complaint about this show is that they didn’t do any encore performances but maybe I’m just greedy. For as we floated out of the theatre, we were full to overflowing with the joy of flamenco after another incredible evening at Sadler’s Wells.
Ballet Flamenco de Andalucia performed as part of Sadler’s Wells’ annual Flamenco Festival.
Find out what other shows are upcoming at Sadler’s Wells.
**press review
London Kids Weekend Scoop (July 2-5, 2026)
