What the media says about Studio Flamenco
"an
exceptionally accomplished, powerful and exciting celebration of flamenco
with eight dancers and eight musicians...not to miss"
Gillian Hunter, 3D Radio on Una Noche de Flamenco, June 2008
Excerpts from a review of 'Carmen: The Musical'
Adelaide Fringe 2007 presented by Studio 89, Annesley College
by Steven Davenport, Adelaide Theatre Guide
Although in "Carmen - The Musical" love hurts and
sometimes kills, Studio 89's production bubbles with joie de vivre. Set
in a cloistered courtyard ... this wonderfully realised performance feels
passionately and romantically authentic...
... crammed with familiar tunes "The Musical," is an honest adaptation
...of Bizet's famous opera and especially suited to amateur musical theatre
companies. Filled with infectious flamenco - choreographed by Studio Flamenco's
Susi Dunlop and Emma Fernee - and superlative singing, Studio 89's show
is imaginative and powerfully connective.
... the choral singing is lively and the small band including Aloysius
Leeson on flamenco guitar is effective. But the heel-stamping, hand-clapping,
thrilling flamenco choreography is one of main ingredients that makes
"The Musical" such an appealing show.
... "Carmen - The Musical" is an attractive, enthusiastic, colourful production
that will appeal to general audiences. A truly impressive achievement.
Review of Flamenco@ FAD
Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 August 2006
by David O'Brien, Ausdance Magazine (aDM)
Excitement and passion were in abundant supply in Flamenco@FAD ...Slightly left of centre and 'contemporary' (Studio Flamenco's) approach to Flamenco may be to some, nonetheless (their) work is unmistakably respectful of the tradition and serious cultural, technical gravitas underscoring the deep emotion this dance form expresses. This superb balance is best demonstrated in a favourite piece of mine, Tangos por Fiesta... One can never get enough of this fascinating work which is based around seated dancers.
A subtle through line was established across the two halves of the production, with an emphasis on building individual dances gently up to a stirring crescendo of technique and passion, and ultimately, a breath taking finale for each half of the show. Siguiriyas, sweetly built up in two sections exploded into Tangos por Fiesta in part one. Fandangos and Solea por Buleria did much the same in part two, leading into Bulerias por fiesta . With its measured increase in pace, criss crossing of dancers on the floor and heightened intensity, Bulerias por Fiesta blew the audience away in a passionate fire storm of dance. More of that please!
'Sibling Simpatico'
by Stephen Davenport, July 2006
"Their enthusiasm for Flamenco is contagious. It's as though their minds are unified through the communal dialect of music and dance. Studio Flamenco's dedicated instructors are committed to their art and bringing their students and audiences the best possible dance experience which both fuses the spirit and turbulent history of Andalusia and makes it a dynamic, contemporary art form. "We love what we do," they say in unison. "Flamenco is an obsession."
Review
of Tablao Flamenco II
by David O'Brien, Ausdance Magazine (aDM)
"Studio Flamenco's focus on modern forms of flamenco and contemporary takes on traditional forms made for a great evening of dance. Presenting the work in intimate cabaret style with warm candlelight and good wine greatly enhanced the experience that did much to provoke thought on what flamenco can be as much as what it has always been...
Those who have little exposure to contemporary treatments of traditional flamenco, let alone contemporary flamenco choreography should find Tientos, Tangos por Fiesta and Bulerias por Fiesta of great interest. Of these three Tangos por Fiesta provided the most fascination.
As the programme ...points out, it is a work light in style but rhythmically and technically impressive- very impressive. The piece begins with the ensemble seated in chairs. A series of tightly synchronised swift, sharp taps to the floor accompanied by hand slaps to the breast bone, raising of arms and sharp turns of the torso ensues before the ensemble stands. Unlike traditional flamenco, the ensemble offers a series of still tableaux in which with arms upraised, phrases of movement are concentrated in the upper body, rather than from the hips down. This style of movement produces a seemingly non-flamenco like form of classical dance that nonetheless clearly has its roots in flamenco and was totally captivating...
Likewise Tientos, featuring Susi Dunlop, Emma Fernée and Kristy Manuel offers sinewy, powerful, sensuously aggressive choreography presented in sharp, angular short phrases of movement. What's impressive in all this is the synthesis of all these elements found in the evening's final piece, Bulerias por Fiesta making concrete the connection between modern and traditional flamenco forms.
A wonderful night I'm glad I didn't miss. "
'New
world for dance queen'
Advertiser 2 March 2006
"Susi Dunlop...principal dancer at Studio Flamenco will be taking her group to perform at (WOMAD) for the first time this year.
"We are really excited about it" she says..."There is so much variety..."
Susi...will perform with two other dancers and five musicians on Sunday, March 12."
Studio Flamenco is grateful for the support of the following organisations:
