Sara Baras - Sabores

Published Wednesday 2 July 2008 at 11:40 by Gavin Roebuck

One of Spain’s finest flamenco exports Sara Baras is rightly acclaimed for her brilliant footwork and enthralling stage presence. Her show combines all the emotive power, passion and drama of traditional flamenco with vibrant modern influences.

Sabores (Flavours) is a thrilling tour of different styles found within the flamenco dance form, such as alegria and buleria, as well as being a showcase for her talent. Sabores is an almost mesmeric mixture of seemingly spontaneous rhythmic improvisation and more polished choreographed dances which holds the attention of the enthralled audience with their complex rhythms and dancing.

Baras is a generous artist who does not dominate her own show, but allows the other dancers including Jose Serrano and Liuis Ortega to shine in solos as well as ensemble items. Everything about this show was high quality, the atmospheric lighting by Fernando Martin, the musicians directed by Jose Maria Bandera and the throaty singing of Miguel de la Tolea and Saul Quiros.

Baras designs the costumes herself, making them from slightly softer materials than usual so they have the beneficial effect of showing off the body movements. Baras is a creative force who manages to express the essence of this gypsy art form and link the audience to its 15th-century Andalusian foundation, and yet add a contemporary edge. A free flamenco dance class on offer after some performances combines with this excellent show to give a fulfilling flamenco experience.