Andalucian Images of Carmina Burana

Described as "a sort of madness and delirium" by the show's Creative Director, Salvador Tavora, 'Andalucian Images of Carmina Burana' is just that - a riot of emotions and images which stir the senses and provoke the mind. Inspired by an anthology of medieval poems upon which Carl Orff based his infamous score, Tavora has produced an audacious collage of religious, historical and cultural images, and the show is a theatrical spectacle. White stallions cry red rose petals, intoxicated little monks stagger around the stage and dancers swing from the horns of metal sculptures as if Toreadors gored by Bulls. Inspired by the poetry, these images are fragmented and blended through dance, opera and music. Andalucian flamenco is infused with contemporary dance, providing the performers with a challenging combination of fluid movement and frenzied footwork, the rhythmic patterns of which are accentuated by the live music on stage. Complex, confusing, passionate stuff. [Gemma Kempthorne]