The Sala Roja, located in Madrid’s Teatros del Canal, lit up with excited little faces as they discovered the secrets hidden in Yo, Carmen, the latest production by flamenco dancer and choreographer María Pagés, which opened in April in this very same venue. The entire group of professionals who make up the María Pagés Dance Company captivated the attention of the children and the families in attendance with their inspired performance of their educational show La alegría de los niños.
The younger audience members were not only allowed to personally ask the stage manager to raise the grand drape that separates the stage from the seating area, but they also met, one by one, all the dancers, musicians, and technicians who make it possible for this show to awe publics day in and day out in all corners of the world.
María Pagés herself, taking an up close and personal approach, stood off the stage with microphone in hand and explained what palmas sordas are, how to best play the pitos and how to artfully open and close a fan. Meanwhile, the Company’s dancers took care of the youngest audience members, helping them move to the beat of the music whilst following the choreographer’s instructions.
With the support of the LOEWE FOUNDATION, María Pagés is showcasing flamenco around the world, and thanks to initiatives such as this one, the public interested in dance can now count with a new generation of fans. Thank you María!
Photographs: La alegría de los niños, María Pagés Compañía © Luis Sánchez de Pedro for the LOEWE FOUNDATION, 2016.