In English language onlyTeatro Lope de Vega SevillaSevilla, 15 January 2006The Ballet Flamenco de Andalucia, with "Viaje al Sur", in Teatro Lope de Vega. CRISTINA HOYOS is directing her last performance.  The Lope de Vega is a small, baroque style theatre. Located between the University of Seville and Maria Luisa park, the theatre was constructed during the 1929 Ibero-American Expo.  Dominant colors are red and gold. The interior design falls between a noble palace and perhaps a grandmother's living-room. Very cozy though, and the locals as well as foreigners enjoy the venue.  Privileged seating is on the balconies.  A detail of the columns leading into the ceiling.  We have reached our seats: Palco Central, Nr. 9, on the first floor.  People begin to file in, and the seats of the theatre are filling up quickly.  Tonight we will see the Ballet Flamenco de Andalucia, directed by Cristina Hoyos. This is her last performance.  Cristina Hoyos is one of the leading figures in the world of contemporary flamenco dance.  At 60 years of age, she is not only the director and choreographer of the group, but performs on stage as well.  We are already in the the last part of the three themes: La Alegría, La Tragedia, y La Pasión (Happiness, Tragedy and Passion).  The program says (abbreviated): "Three stations: An imaginative journey from the south, getting lost in the south, and giving yourself up into a single expression: Flamenco."  The end of the show: Cristina Hoyos receiving a standing ovation from the spectators, and saying one last good-bye to the members of the company.  View of the back of our balcony: the entry way and door to the aisle. From outside we require the services of an usher with a key to let us in.  View of the staircase from first to ground floor.  It was raining hard when we left. Many people filled the lobby waiting for either a lift by car, or for the rain to end. Close Window |