María Jesús Pagés Madrigal, better known as María Pagés, is a modern Spanish dancer and choreographer and one of the most internationally renowned Flamenco artists in the world. She is considered the paramount representative of flamenco vanguard. Internationally acclaimed for her personal aesthetic concept of this dance, she has proven to be the leading pioneer in the understanding of this art as an evolution, contemporary and alive, making her a leading innovator of modern flamenco.

Utopía was the result of nearly two years of research and collaboration. Pagés conjured the scenic space to house her choreography, designed the costumes and worked with musicians Rubén Levaniegos and Fred Martins on the original score for the production.

Niemeyer was recognized for his use of abstract shapes and free-flowing curves and Pagés incorporated his curvilinear aesthetics into the production’s ingenious décor, which was dominated by two long flexible tubes suspended from the ceiling. In the course of the piece, these floating poles created a fascinating array of shapes and patterns alluding to nature’s silhouettes: ocean waves, mountain hills, sand dunes; and the atmospheric lighting effectively mixed the darkness and the light, beautifully accentuating the futuristic stage sceneries.

Accompanied by live music, Utopía unfolded in a dreamy, unhurried manner, yet felt provocative and endlessly theatrical. This program was an ensemble piece rather than a one-woman show, giving the company’s superb dancers and musicians countless moments to shine.

Director: María Pagés and Farruca (Choreography)
Cast: Dancers: María Pagés / Isabel Rodríguez / Eva Varela / María Vega / José Barrios / José Antonio Jurado / Paco Berbel / Rubén Puertas, Ana Ramón and Juan de Mairena: vocals, Rubén Lebaniegos and José 'Fyty' Carrillo: guitar, Fred Martins: voice / guitar / cavaquinho, Sergio Menem: cello, Chema Uriarte: percussion