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‘KAHLÓ CALÓ’ |
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SPECIAL BIENAL DE FLAMENCO DE SEVILLA 2008 Text: Gonzalo Montaño Peña Dance: Amador Rojas (Frida Kahlo), Antonio “El Choro”, Ana Morales, Eduardo Guerrero, María Moreno, Christian Lozano, Encarnación López; Actor: Alejandro Peña; Musicians: Eugenio Iglesias, Paco Iglesias, Agustín Diassera, Alejandro Cruz, Ángel Morilla; Cante: Roberto Chamorro “El Roto”, Inma “La Carbonera”. Singer: Lalah Domínguez. Expectations were high before the opening of this work that depicts the life of painter Frida Kahlo. The Mexican artist’s name is a huge draw, even though the show came to Seville one year after it’s debut. The work tries to find a relationship between the painter and the caló culture, but doesn’t manage to pull it off because there is nothing gypsy (caló), much less flamenco. Nevertheless we were able to enjoy Amador Rojas, a young dancer from Los Palacios who is brilliant in the role of Frida, and whose dancing is superb. He is without a doubt the best thing in a show that uses color and staging to construct a show with different episodes that marked the painter’s life. As far as paying tribute to the artist, the show is entertaining, if a bit long, with an incomprehensible intermission that breaks the pace. The choreography is nicely done, such as in the bus accident in which the painter loses the ability to have children, or her visits to New York and Paris which are depicted nicely. However as a flamenco work, it leaves much to be desired, and you have the feeling of watching a typical musical of the sort used to showcase the songs of Abba, Meccano or Cats. The dancers become actors, with a certain degree of naturalness, but the choreographies seem somewhat artificial. There is a high technical level, but it appears to be technique for the sake of technique, rather than a means to an end in search of emotions. Aside from the wonderful performance of Amador Rojas, with memorable moments such as the dance with bata de cola, noteworthy is Ana Morales who plays the part of Death, always chasing after the painter. Kahlo Caló is a musical with some interesting moments, based on fusions of Mexican rancheras, jazz and even French chanson, but little cante. It’s easily digested by all audiences…except the person looking for the thrills and chills provided by flamenco. This is a story about Frida Kahlo that takes advantage of the opportunity in order to be noticed in a world of flamenco dance that is subject to whims and where this type of show seems to now be in favor.
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