Flamenco puro, or flamenco nuevo? The question divides flamenco fans, and it seems to be confusing the hugely talented Eva Yerbabuena.
The dancer-choreographer is easily one of the best flamenco stars; her gorgeous curvaceous form, her magnificent posterior, her dark eyes and lovely hair all combine with her astonishing technique to convey both whisper-soft affection and almost sluttish allure.
But Yerbabuena and her able troupe give us over-choreographed routines, then "before the show" deconstructions, then the sound of a dripping tap, then expressive modern dance/flamenco combos, and then a weirdly skinny dancer slipping through the back-drop. And you think, what's going on?
Yerbabuena is attempting to add depth and variety to the old flamenco form, but the amount of new work is too much and its links with her core flamenco are unclear.
For example, in Yerbabuena's duet with Patrick De Bana, she is a tortured flamenco diva, while he is a mohawk and tattoo-sporting wraith.
The reason for the combination is unclear, and little artistic fusion is made. Happily, Yerbabuena's powerful solos more than compensate. However, a more focused approach to the nuevo is needed.
Flamenco Festival until Saturday (0870 737 7737; www.sadlerswells.com)
Eva Yerbabuena
