Alegria Flamenco Malta recently held their academy performance entitled Cuatro at Theatre Next Door, an intimate small theatre which turned out to be the perfect setting for a display of Flamenco dance.

We were welcomed inside the theatre with Alegria Company dancers on stage with a colourful projection in the background. Once the performance started the company dancers exploded into a footwork display to the natural sounds of each season. The whole evening was a unique explosion of dancers and colours adorned with shawl movements and footwork. The children's dance was a refreshing touch to the evening and the beginner dancers, although slightly nervous all looked like they were enjoying their dance. I was totally mesmerized with the passion portrayed in the dancers representing winter and summer - their professionalism transported me somewhere in Seville. Spring was vibrant and fun and each soloist gave a beautiful co-ordination between classical music and flamenco dance. The costumes were vibrant and each group moved in a flawless manner.

The projections portrayed each season giving the audience the feeling and transporting them throughout the year. The string quartet also gave an excellent rendition of Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.

All in all this performance was refreshing and a joy to see so many dancers totally dedicated and enjoying themselves and dancing with such passion to choreographies created by Ingrid Sciberras, Estelle Bonello Sant and Ema Marie Attard. It lasted a total of one hour and what an hour that was.

Photos: Tonio Polidano