AD | Tickets gifted in exchange of an honest review
Copla: The Spanish Cabaret is now showing for only a short time at The Other Palace and I was privileged not to have missed it.
This production is a mix up of music, narrative, dance, audience participation and a massive celebration of Copla, a genre of Spanish music that emerged in the early 20th century. I learned about the bold, passionate songs that had been censored to erase the queerness but now, Copla: The Spanish Cabaret brings all of its history back to life, with the show unapologetically reclaiming the genre’s original queer roots.
Writer and performer Alejandro Postigo portrays the 'Copla' genre beautifully with their tribute being emotionally charged, and which it perfectly captures the deep passion and vulnerability which is at the heart of these songs and culture. From love and longing to heartache and desire, Postigo navigates this emotionally complex history with such intensity and elegance while also adding a little bit of hilarious diva and that's just from his abuela.
Joining Postigo on stage are pianist Jack Elsdon and Violeta Valladares on violin, who provide a rich and dynamic soundscape and transports the audience to a cabaret atmosphere that feels both historical and contemporary.
Ricardo Ferreira creates a minimalist yet effective set design, with the use of lighting and video projections to help evoke the world of a Spanish nightclub, and Postigo's hilarious articulate narrative and also ‘onstage' costume changes give the production an added layer of sexy elegance and flair.
Postigo's performances are not just musical; but also serve as a reclamation of queer identity and a celebration of the marginalized voices that originally made copla so special, showcasing the history that was hidden beneath the surface. Through 'Copla: The Spanish Cabaret', the queerness that was once repressed and erased in Spanish culture is now joyfully celebrated. Finally, free!
Copla: The Spanish Cabaret is a must watch show, It’s a celebration of reclaiming what was lost, giving voice to the queer history that was hidden for far too long. With breath-taking, evocative performances, hilarious Spanish and English comparisons and a vibrant atmosphere and absolutely no maracas, it’s a show to watch again and again.
★★★★.5
Copla: A Spanish Cabaret plays at The Other Palace until 26th of January
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