Experimental choreography, cutting-edge flamenco, body percussion and electronic music are some of the elements making up Puerto Flamenco’s latest production, The Ship of Theseus. Stephanie Fsadni finds how the company will interpret this philosophical paradox on stage.

Four years after the celebrated show Isla, Puerto Flamenco is returning to the Maltese shores to perform at the Malta International Arts Festival this weekend.

The Seville-based company, founded by Francesca ‘Ċikka’ Grima and Andrej Vujicic, will premiere its latest production, entitled The Ship of Theseus, at Fort St Elmo.

Francesca ‘Ċikka’ GrimaFrancesca ‘Ċikka’ Grima

The show’s title refers to a philosophical paradox based on a Greek legend first exposed by Plutarch, questioning whether a ship that has been restored by replacing every single wooden part, remains the same ship.

Numbers performed, in fact, symbolically keep replacing old planks with new ones, questioning individual and collective identity in ever-changing contexts.

“Based on this paradox, the show is an attempt to discover the underlying essence of phenomena that are going through transformation or renovation,” says Grima.

“The entire show is a hyperbole for the elusive soul of a ship, with new ‘planks’ questioning the traditions of the genre and old perishing ‘planks’ attempting to claim its status as the original. Layers stripped off and replaced over the raw beating essence of the universal,” continues Vujicic.

The show is non-narrative and involves a series of pieces that forward inter-changeability and juxtaposition of the two physical ships (the old and the new) and the third intangible essence of it.

“This has been a captivating challenge to do in a traditionally canon-laden genre of flamenco. We have so far avoided storylines in our flamenco productions as acting them out seems to interfere with the genuine emotions and expression the artist may feel at the moment,” comments Grima.

Based on this paradox, the show is an attempt to discover the underlying essence of phenomena that are going through transformation or renovation

The show, which has been in the making since last autumn, includes several rehearsed group numbers but also many individual ones which are purposely not rehearsed in order “to keep the surprise for the audience and cast simultaneous and genuine”.

The artists involved are specifically renowned improvisers and masters of rhythm. These include Abel Harana and Antonio Molina ‘El Choro’, currently among the favourite male flamenco dancers in Spain.

“We have been lucky enough to have them as friends and have been working together for many years at the Tablao El Arenal in Seville and also in several Puerto Flamenco productions and tours,” says Vujicic.

“They have such incredible knowledge of the genre and a crazy sense of rhythm and feel. It is an absolute joy and privilege to share the stage with them.”

Ruben Romero, who is known for “his wise and remarkably rhythmical accompanying” on guitar and is renowned for his soniquette (flamenco swing), will accompany the performers.

The show also features a wide variety of percussion, knuckles on glass, crude wooden instruments, planks, body percussion and also pre-recorded and live electronic music.

“The wooden planks and instruments fit naturally in a flamenco production and the recent transformation and modernisation of the genre provides a relevant context,” points out Vujicic.

Jesus Corbacho, one of the singers currently in highest demand in Spain, will lend his vocals to the show.

“Incredible knowledge and control of the voice as well as understanding of dance accompaniment make Corbacho a favourite and a real asset in the show. Hopefully you will be able to see his impressive guitar playing and even dance skills if we get lucky on the weekend,” remarks Grima.

The company is also collaborating for the first time with award-winning Felix Vazquez on audiovisual content and live projections.

Open air venues always present a challenge for flamenco but Grima says that Fort St Elmo “seems to be just the right size, maintaining the necessary intimacy for all to feel the emotional energy of the event”.

“We are looking forward to go back to it after some 15 years when we performed there with Etnika in 2003,” she adds, referring to the folk band she and Vujicic have also co-founded.

The Ship of Theseus will be staged on Saturday and Sunday at Fort St Elmo, Valletta, at 9pm. For tickets, log on to http://ticketenginex.kreattivita. org. Visit www.puertoflamenco.com for more information.

The Malta International Arts Festival kicks off today and runs until July 16. For more information, visit www.maltaartsfestival.org and check the What’s On section of this paper.

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