Flamenco is recognized for its passionate, precise, and lightning-fast footwork. La Otra Orilla’s captivating presentation of their new piece, HomoBLABLAtus, blends the nuances of traditional flamenco with contemporary expression. Founded in 2006, the small and relatively new company has a unique approach to the Andalusian art form, including projected recordings and the direct incorporation of musicians into dance performance.
HomoBLABLAtus explores different forms of physical communication, and the weight of words, enhanced by La Otra Orilla’s selected film scenes. The stage set is simple: two areas divided by a large rotating box; separated spaces for different methods of expression. HomoBLABLAtus introduces the film projections with repeated images of moving lips, to a voice over by Catherine Allard and Frederic Blanchette—both sight and sound quickly become hypnotizing.
The most effective product of this medium, however, is the virtual duo. The soloist, Myriam Allard, dances with her virtual partner—the projection of Blanchette—who dances on the face of box. She is able to both command the stage and seduce the audience, while interacting with Blanchette’s virtual form. The eye is torn between Allard’s live moving body and the projection. The two dance together sensually, as if they are alone in their own space and medium. What is surprising and jarring at first glance becomes seemingly natural.
Although flamenco is traditionally danced solo, HomoBLABLAtus feels more like an ensemble piece. Singer Hedi Graja directs the show, choreographed by the energetic yet graceful Myriam Allard. Typically, flamenco incorporates live music within the dance, but this performance presents a refreshing multi-disciplinary vision of the art form. In addition to La Otra Orilla’s provocative use of media, the musicians—Aurelie Brunelle, Miguel Medina, and Graja, who share the stage with Allard—dance throughout the performance, building the dynamism and momentum of the rhythmic choreography.
This intensity reaches a peak when the quartet works together—Graja’s soaring, soulful voice supported by Medina’s drumming, layered with Brunelle’s proudly challenging him for his role. Together with Allard, the elegant foot-stamping women ruled the stage, creating rich, unpredictable sounds. The final result was pure excitement.
The performance ends with Allard dancing alone to calmer music. She is drenched in rain, an image achieved by skillful lighting effects and some help from a white sheet. Allard’s altered posture combined with her sobered footwork and her new relationship with the floor creates a more emotional atmosphere. She made the audience search for her striking silhouette, but calmed them with the rhythms of her feet.
HomoBLABLAtus is a compelling and exciting performance of beautiful live music, dance, and film. Their contemporary expression respects the formal purism of Flamenco while maintaining freedom in its reinterpretation. You will leave this performance tapping Allard’s rhythms and humming Graja’s tune.
La Otra Orilla’s HomoBLABLAtus runs from Jan. 16 to Jan. 26 at Place des Arts. Regular admission $36.50.
