The anticipation surrounding the new creation by the Cádiz-born dancer could already be felt before the curtain even rose. Macarena Ramírez presented ESPINA, the most ambitious work of her career, as part of the 4th Flamenco Biennial of Cádiz, Jerez and Los Puertos, at the Teatro Principal in Puerto Real.
The result surpassed all expectations: a work of art filled with maturity and beauty, in which the artist took charge of both the stage direction and choreography, with musical direction by Javier Ibáñez.
With a carefully crafted aesthetic — the stage wrapped in roses and thorns, synchronized projections, and original music — Macarena Ramírez was joined by a cohesive ensemble: Iván Orellana (dance); Jesús Flores and Ana Gómez (vocals); Samuel Cortés (violin); Manuel Pájaro (percussion); and Javier Ibáñez (guitar and musical direction).
On the technical side, essential to this production, stood out the work of Manuel Otero (lighting design), María Nevado (video creation and projections), and Colin Preston together with Regina Astorga (sound).
The costumes — another of the show’s great successes — were entirely designed by the artist herself, including those worn by the musicians, with the special collaboration of José Galváñ on the spectacular bata de cola featured in the guajiras and alegrías. Color gradually took over the stage, symbolizing transformation and rebirth.
The curtain opened to an impressive stage design and a contemporary piece set to seguiriyas, in which Iván Orellana confronted himself until meeting Macarena in a breathtaking pas de deux. Then came a solemn soleá, where castanets turned into tears of pain: the birth of the wound.
In the second act, titled “The Burning Pain”, Ramírez unleashed her power in a dazzling zapateado and a series of tangos centered around a chair covered in roses and thorns — which she finally kicks away in an act of liberation and catharsis.
“Strength and Bloom” marks the rebirth: the black mannequin — a symbol of pain — disappears, and an explosion of color takes over. Beautiful guajiras and alegrías lead to an unforgettable finale, as the dancer vanishes within her shawl while her fellow performers surround her to dance a bulería al golpe.
The ovation lasted more than eight minutes, with the entire audience on its feet. ESPINA is a show worthy of the world’s greatest theatres, capable of moving both flamenco aficionados and newcomers alike. Because what truly matters is to move the soul — and Macarena Ramírez achieves this magnificently.
In the program notes, the artist leaves a message that beautifully encapsulates the essence of her work:
“We all carry a thorn. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it gives us strength. This show is my way of dancing it. Today I don’t dance only for myself — I dance for you… so that when you watch, you remember that even from pain, life can be born.”
ESPINA is, without doubt, a unique production. Her next performance will take place on October 24 in Seville, at Teatro Los Remedios — a show we wholeheartedly recommend not to miss.
Article by Chico Javier (Revista La Fragua and ALL FLAMENCO).
📸 Photos: Ignacio Escuín
You can watch Macarena Ramírez’s performances on ALL FLAMENCO and Prime Video.
