Review: FLAMENC OH!! at Peacock Theatre

The show delivers the story of a family who have been flamenco artists for generations. The patriarch (David Bastidas) is a strict traditionalist when it comes to flamenco. His commanding voice and his cane set the rhythm of the flamenco for the rest of his family. His wife (Raquela Ortega) is another flamenco traditionalist, although less hardline than her husband. They have two children, a son (Raúl Ortega) and a daughter (Anabel Moreno), who are also flamenco dancers. Each of them is hoping to have their father’s ancestral cane handed down to them, but they must battle it out to prove who is worthy of becoming the next flamenco leader in their family. Finally, there is the guitar player (Luis Gallo), who has newly joined the family after spending time travelling the world. He has a newer, more modern taste in music which he would like to bring to flamenco, much to the disdain of the patriarch. Will the old and the new break the family apart? Or can they bring these styles together in harmony?

It’s a performance of many moving parts and succeeds in being both educational and highly entertaining for the audience. It shows the different stories that are told through flamenco, such as romance, fighting, and self-expression, with all of these stories connected by the characters’ passion for and in flamenco performance. The show was full of fun, pantomime-style audience participation, encouraging people to sing along and learn to clap flamenco rhythms for the dancers.

Flamenc Oh!! cleverly juxtaposes traditional flamenco with modern styles, music, and ideals with the former represented by the patriarch and his wife, and the latter by the guitar player, the daughter and the son. The result is traditional flamenco movements set to popular music mash-ups and subversion of gendered roles in flamenco. It’s a great way of showing the versatility and evolution of flamenco to a global audience.

The heart of this show is the dancing itself, which is unforgettable. Raquela Ortega, Raúl Ortega, and Anabel Moreno each showcased an incredible skill, resulting in cheers and applause from those watching. Their performances were beautifully complemented by the guitar playing and singing from Luis Gallo and David Bastidas. Whether you are a flamenco expert or a flamenco newbie, you will find that the talent in this show is undeniable.

Flamenc Oh!! is a fantastic celebration of flamenco and Andalusian culture in London. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in learning about different dance styles and wanting to leave a show with a smile on their face.

Flamenc Oh!! Tickets