dance/physical theatre review

The Bellydance Diaries

The Bellydance Co

The Bellydance Diaries was quite a feat for a one woman show, as Daphne Pena undertook to dazzle us with belly dancing routines and entertain us with a collection of stories, told in different voices, of belly dancers living in Cairo. Her costumes were magnificent and the show began with a routine involving a swirling gold cape that was truly spectacular. Belly dancing at its best is a mesmerising, sensual experience, but, while Pena danced joyfully and with verve, her movements were sometimes too stiff to give her complete fluidity. Meanwhile, her stories were so diverse, ranging from those of a mother from northern England to an American woman, that they seemed a little disjointed. The show was well rehearsed, though, and the music evoked an exotic world of souks and Bedouin tents. Pena's band clearly adores her, and the audience were thoroughly entertained.

Komedia Studio, 15, 18 May, 6:30pm, £7.00 (£6.00), fpp 25

tw rating: 3/5

published: Aug-2008

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