Thursday, March 27, 2008

New Pedro Almodovar website/blog


Pedro Almodovar has decided to start a kind of blog to talk about whatever is his mind, particularly his next movie, Broken Embraces. He should start shooting soon, but doesn't want to reveal too much.

"I promise to tell only the truth, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to tell you everything about me and about the film and its preparation. On the contrary, I intend to say as little as possible about the story and the characters, I’ll wander around on the fringes, in purely tangential elements. You’ll think I’ve got a real cheek, and I’m sure you’re right. (Anything to celebrate the lack of intermediaries). I’ve been nurturing a dream for some time. I’d like that at least once spectators would go to see one of my films without knowing what it’s about. I know that it’s an almost impossible dream, but I’m going to try to get as near to it as possible. Still, I am going to show lots of images of the different processes, images that will be transferred directly from my camera to this page."

It's in Spanish AND English AND French, so no reason not to read it.




Friday, March 14, 2008

Heaps (Farruco @ Sadler's Wells review, Mujeres @ Sadler's Wells review)

OK, need to catch up...

I didn't enjoy Los Farruco very much. Very raw and talented performers, but I don't think it's a style that works well in a big theatre. I also found it quite repetitive: "Oh! another really fast footwork!" and I didn't like the way they always ended their routine right at the front of the stage, arms up, facing the audience, waiting for applause. Don't milk it man.

Mujeres, however, was sublimissime. Very contemporary, but still traditional, with bata de cola, abanicos, castanets, it all mixed beautifully. The 3 dancers (Merche Esmeralda, Belen Maya and Rocio Molina) were just great: sharp and gracious, beautiful hands, beautfiul facial expressions. They really knew what they were doing. Big winner that night, the singer Diana Navarro, who appeared as guest-artist during the show. She sang with an amazing voice, at the same time flamenca, arabic, fadista and more. She blew us away.

The Guardian tells us about the 10 best places to eat tapas in Granada. I want to go back!

30 Rock is back on Thursday the 10th of April on NBC. The season 1 DVDs are out next week.

Big things happening in 2 weeks - scary, necessary and exciting. Will keep you posted.

Super cute story in the NYTimes of Public School 59, in the Bronx, where they love Irish dancing. We need more of that (I mean people, and young kids in particular, dancing, not necessarily Irish dancing, though it's nice!)

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Eric Underwood

Eric Underwood in Electric Counterpoint
Photo John Ross

I have talked before about Aesha Ash, a great dancer I have discovered in the Morphoses Company last year, and mentioned that she was one of the few black dancers around.

Head to the Royal Ballet this week to see another great black dancer, Eric Underwood, perform in a new piece called Electric Counterpoint. Eric Underwood started his career in New York's Dance Theatre of Harlem, before moving to the American Ballet Theatre. He is now a First Artist at the Royal Ballet, and a joy to watch. He also appeared in McGregor's Chroma. Can't wait to see more of him.

Eric Underwood in Chroma
photo: Johan Persson