What a feel good show! You come out after an hour and a half wanting to stomp your feet and flick your hands and assume an attitude of emotional excess. Alma Flamenca is a treat.

The Perth based troupe from Danza Viva performing here are four fantastic dancers, two of whom sing and clap with the excellent guitarist and percussion player on the cajon box drum. The musicans are from another Perth group, La Pandilla Flamenca.

The songs of course are searing and full of longing and tragedy, except for the cheeky joyous ones. A special treat was seeing the cajon player keep such intense focus on the dancer’s feet during her solos, with the occasional chuckle at a particular feat or surprise pattern. In fact the connections between everyone was always evident. The flamenco dances obviously have patterns/movement/parts that the audience wasn’t clear about (neither am I) but appreciation was registered with whoops and claps which were encouraged.

The solo dances featured the various skills of the dancers with castanets, a stunning use of a fan, and a giant shawl. Sometimes poetic text was used to set the scene of a dance or a dancer which was highly effective as part of the theatre of flamenco. Half way through there is an interval/optional workshop when punters are asked onto the stage to learn some dance techniques. This was eagerly taken up, while the remaining seated audience were taught some clapping. It is a brilliant way to have a break and involve the audience further.

Danza Viva are playing next in Fremantle – don’t miss them! It’s powerful, life-affirming movement and sound that dramatizes a full emotional range.