Baila, which translates as ‘dances’ in Spanish, could not sum up the Southern American landscape any better! Dance is an integral part of the continent’s culture, it’s an alternative language that allows for the articulation of expression, restoration of history, socialisation with members of the community… It is one of the life forces of the continent.
The Clown of Clown‘s is part of The Arcola‘s annual Grimeborn Festival, a series that showcases some of the more experimental offerings from the world of classical opera and ballet. Historically, the clown and the melancholic have always been close relations, particularly in literature. Whether Shakespeare’s fool, hounding Lear with intimations of mortality or Heinrich Böll’s clown, an alcoholic squandering his talents and pining after his ex wife, the jester has often been deployed as a powerful, ironic symbol for the unattainability of human happiness. Constella Ballet & Orchestra‘s production taps into this dark heritage, exploring the sinister side of the mythical fool, their experimental approach yields thrilling results.
