This is the story of Lola, who leaves behind Francoist Spain in the 1960s, taking work as a cleaner in London, to send money back to the family she leaves behind. She’s grieving her husband’s death and depressed. “My mind calls for death, my heart says no,” read the English translations on the screen behind her. The story is partly inspired by Maria Garcia’s family. The founder and director of Company LOLA Flamenco’s grandfather and 17-year-old father left Spain for Germany in the 1960s to find work.
The story is told with fairly broad brushstrokes, mostly in Spanish. For anyone who’s behind on their Duolingo, the finer details can be overlooked as what needs to be conveyed comes across through excellent music and dance, as Lola slowly uncurls from the foetal position on her bed, gets a glow up and falls in love.
Rhythms are battered out on typewriters, tapped with knuckles on tables, and of course, clicked, stomped and pummelled with feet. The elegant, defiant flamenco footwork – not to mention face work, hand work and arm work is astonishing. Added Spanish guitar and impassioned singing make this a joyous story of resilience and romance, with lots of sweat flying and shawls being whipped around.
LOLA: A Flamenco Love Story, Pleasance at EICC, until 24 Aug (not 13, 20), 7.30pm