Love, lust, passion, dance! It may have horns but Matador is a far cry from the running of the bulls!
It’s not often that the genre of bullfighting comes to the stage, but in the case of Matador, be prepared for an evening of burlesque high-energy dance and artistic acrobatic performances, as a seductive passion ignites between matador and bull.
Written and directed by Bass G Fam, this colourful and somewhat fiery production has already impressed critics. Its cast of fourteen skilled performers, bring a mix of multiple dances, including burlesque, ballet, Latin and circus into an erotic, yet moving love story.
As director Fam explains, “Whilst the Bull and the Matador are at the forefront of the story, each character represents a different feeling or emotion, and together they create the perfect blend of seduction, carnal desires, joy, passion and pain.”
And passionate it is, with an erotic artistry between tattooed aerialist Christopher Politis and dancer Tro Griffiths, as well as routines, which include male dancers in leotards and leather boots.
Fam, who also designed the show’s costumes, has made a point of intertwining sexual identity with artistic expression.
“When designing the costumes, I tried to break the gender norms with both sexes in the show donning corsets and at times thigh-high boots and heels- and boy do they all slay in them!” he says.
For the Bull and Matador themselves, Ned Zaina and Kelly Byrne bring their chemistry of sexual and sensual vigor through a clever art form of performance, rather than any spoken word.
As the Bull, Ned Zaina wears a striking pair of horns, and while carousing sexually with all the female characters, he then moves onto the males!
Choreographers, Gerard Pigg and Josephine Magiolo have done well for what the audience would assume to be ‘painstakingly’ rehearsed performances. And two ‘guest’ choreographers, Carmelo Pizzino and Jessica Raffa (who have previously worked on Dancing with the Stars), have brought in some additional ‘Latin’ gusto.
The music to the show is a combination of popular hits and anthems from the Eighties as well as Latin tracks and original mixes created for the show by Will Pyett (Blackscale Music). However a standout is the emotive voice of Montanna Flask, bringing a certain melancholy to the production.
One of the most commented expressions heard from those seeing Matador is in regard to its aerial and circus performances – as simply jaw-dropping. However what truly brings this show home is the beautiful and striking personality of the overall production. There may be lust, but in the end, it is a story of love.
While Fam feels the production is partly inspired by antiquity to a reflection on his own life, he also believes it is a personal open letter to oneself, to lovers and to friends. Emotional it certainly is, confronting and even somewhat intimate, as it explores the boundaries and many facets of human desire.
As the writer, director, costumer and producer, Fam couldn’t put it better himself.
“If Matador is about anything, it is a celebration of love, acceptance, friendship and the bonds that tie us together.
Matador is playing at The Sydney Opera House 18 – 29 June.
For more: sydneyoperahouse.com
