With additional commentary by Janelle Watkins
Arrabal’s Tango dancers Soledad Buss and Juan Cupini absolutely electrify the dance floor and keep you entranced from top to bottom.
Arrabal, currently on stage at the Panasonic Theatre, is a slick production showcasing the wonderful talent of performers from Buenos Aries. Torontonian Sergio Trujillo, Directer and Co-Choreographer, worked with Gustavo Santaolalla, Co-Creator/Composer (and member of Bajofondo) to create the story and they hit the mark with this production.
In this coming of age story, Arrabal is introduced and quickly immersed into the underground tango club scene and learns the joys and danger that often accompany it. During her journey Arrabal learns of the destructive power that had earlier gripped Argentina and that was responsible for the disappearance of her father, as well as thousands of others who dared to speak out against the government. Though many of the dance numbers are a celebration of the life and resilience of the people, the underlying story is about the deep wounds the nation suffered during the dictatorship regime of General Jorge Rafael Videla.
This production is a finely oiled machine and the stagecraft involved in executing Arrabal is absolutely stellar. The stage is set to look like an Argentinean milonga club. It’s sometimes hard to remember that you are watching a theatrical performance–the authenticity of the set and performance was ever present. Massive tin walls create the backdrop, with amazing projections designed by Peter Nigrini utilized throughout. One of the most powerful and touching images of the night was the projection of the scores of true faces of Argentina’s ‘disappeared’, as performers on the stage played the mothers, desperate to find their missing children.
This scene in particular, with the faces of the disappeared (most never to be found) is haunting.
Vincent Colbert’s lighting was spot on, at times smoky and dim, then suddenly a bold explosion of colour or stark, cold spotlights. It perfectly accentuated the story.
Some audience members became part of the show. They were seated both on the stage and just below, real patrons of the club. Servers brought them pre-ordered drinks throughout. At one point during the production, the dancers came out into the audience and grabbed unsuspecting audience members to come on stage and dance the tango with them.
One of the most exciting aspects of the night was the intoxicating music by Gustavo Santaolalla and his the Grammy Award® winning band Bajofondo. The stellar musicians were suspended on a platform on the second story of the set, and the passion and exuberance of their playing took Arrabal to another level. It was sometimes hard to decide where to direct your attention, between the dancers or the band–it was all electrifying. The violinist in particular works his stringed magic on you from top to bottom.
Arrabal is really about the tango, and the performance of all the dancers was impeccable. Tango is such an emotionally visceral dance and the audience was brought along the journey watching these gorgeous, sensual bodies move through space, through the anger, passion, joy, sorrow, and sexuality of the numbers. All the performers are masters at their craft and it is evident from the moment they grace the stage. So convincing are they at what they do, that they weave the tale of their unbreakable bonds, loyalty, friendship and forgiveness solely through movement.
Audiences see the best of Argentinian Tango with all it’s excitement and sensuality when they watch Arrabal
One critique of the production was that at times the story felt a little muddied. There were a few gratuitous scenes thrown in to introduce and advance the story, where the dancers silently acted out some parts, but it felt forced and unnecessary. These performers are expert storytellers in dance, so I would have preferred the entire story to be told this way. This is a minor point however, as the piece is so strong with great big scale visuals, electrifying music and absolutely fantastic dancing. Arrabal is a definite crowd pleaser and a must-see.
Arrabal is on stage now until May 11, at Panasonic Theatre. For showtimes and tickets visit: Mirvish
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