Malevo at the Peacock Theatre, London ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎

Malevo, the Argentinian dance troupe created and choreographed by Matias Jaime, has just smashed into the Peacock Theatre in London. A macho hurricane. Passionate, thumping, and raw in its all-male fusion of tango, flamenco, and modern dance, particularly influenced by malambo, the solo folk dancing style of the gauchos of the Argentinian pampas.

An athletic mix of chest-puffing bravado and precision stamping, it’s a visceral experience that has to be seen and felt.  It’s also much more than simply being loud and proud. There is an avant-garde undertone to the show that is going to delight those who go out of technical interest, not just for the theatrical spectacle. The balance is well chosen with wide-eyed group numbers matched by focused intricate solo pieces using traditional Argentinian cattle whips and boleadora (a hunting device adapted for dance performances)

Sound is dominated by the ‘bombo leguero’ drum, named because it can be heard a league away. It blasts like a military marching band but contains sounds that are deliberately rustic and unregimented.  The beat will be in your chest for the duration of the performance and ringing in your ears for several hours after. If you don’t love a pounding it may not be for you. The only false note was a slightly pandering decision to include versions of Yesterday and We Will Rock You. The traditional sound was more than worthy of carrying the whole show. 

Visually it’s a feast for those of certain appetites. It’s a lot of man buns, and, well, man buns. The locks flow and the butts bounce in tight black leather. Most of the dancers look like the covers of 1980s bonkbuster novels. A tsunami of Fabios. In a good way. The attitude is fierce and steamy, falling somewhere between a Kiwi Haka and Magic Mike. But at its heart is technical excellence. Whether in the group crowd pleasers or the show-stopping solos, there was precision, professionalism, and talent. 

Malevo has appeared on America’s Got Talent, partnered with Cirque du Soleil, and been part of the FIFA World Cup 2022 celebrations. It’s a very short run, from tonight until 4th November, a poorly timed blink and you will miss them.

 

 

 

Queerguru Contributing Editor ANDREW HEBDEN is a MEDIA and cultural STUDIES graduate spending his career between London, Beijing, and NYC as an expert in media and social trends. As part of the expanding minimalist FIRE movement, he recently returned to the UK and lives in Soho. He devotes as much time as possible to the movies, theatre, and the gym. His favorite thing is to try something (anything) new every day”