We will be in Seville in mid-April and I am looking for advice regarding the best location to enjoy a Flamenco show. I am aware of the Teatro Flamenco, but i have seen a other options (Triana and Barrio de Santa Cruz). Best place for a great Flamenco experience?
Thanks in advance!
I went to several Flamenco performances in Seville. The style of venue and type of performance is the first consideration of what you will enjoy as a great performance.
Disclaimer: these are my own generalized characterizations, specific to the venues I went to in Sevilla.
Theater style Flamenco - the venue will feel like a small theater, with a raised stage, brightly colored dresses and sweeping costumes. The dresses can have the long trails that fit in the theater stage with plenty of room to flounce around.
The assigned seats are theater style, usually with a slight rake (incline) and generally looking at the performers from a distance to the stage. Every seat in the house will have good visibility.. There is minimal interaction between audience and performers, who may be solo on stage, or a couple or 3 dancers performing distinct numbers. The dances may be highly choreographed.
Cultural performances - these are performed in a smaller venue, with a low wooden platform serving as the stage. Assigned seating may be in a very few rows surrounding the stage. Some assigned seats may be on the floor while others may be upstairs, looking down at the performance floor. The floor level audience is much closer to the performers than in a theater, and watching from nearly the same level as the performers. Dresses won't have the long, circular trains, which aren't practical on a smashed stage. You may feel a very close connection to the dancing, which will still be choreographed, but also may allow some freedom of expression. Multiple dancers may be on stage, taking turns as showcase or backup. The front row seats may be a foot or two from the performers.
Nightclub or bar performances - shows are performed at intervals and the audience may come and go. Seating is casual and not assigned. The dancing may be choreographed for a very small dance floor.
Some venues will ofter food or drinks before the performance, either optional or perhaps included with your show ticket.
Again, these are (my own) generalizations, but may give you an idea of what to look for and what type of experience will be "great" for you.
If you're looking for the sweeping, colorful costumes and highly scripted performance, you might choose a Teatro venue. If you want less of a theater production, look for the more intimate settings. Or to get a casual taste and a come and go as you please arrangement, find a bar that offers Flamenco.
I'll look for my trip report which has the names of the Sevilla venues that I went to.
My trip report includes the Sevilla venues where I watched Flamenco.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/november-getaway-in-andalusia
Search for "FLAMENCO PERFORMANCES."
The two I've been to, both excellent and both small, so you are close to the stage, are:
CASA DE LA MEMORIA
MUSEO DE FLAMENCO
Neither has reserved seats so get there at least a half an hour before show time. You can buy wine at the MUSEO but not at CASA DE LA MEMORIA.
There's also a larger, more flashy venue at Las Setas but I've not been there.
I went to La Casa del Flamenco. You can see on the Google pics how close everyone is to the stage. https://maps.app.goo.gl/jYnBUadhdGnrA7EY6
Thank you all for the good suggestions! CWsocial, I especially appreciated your report and all the helpful details regarding Flamenco styles and venues, but also things such as the restaurants, hotels and other info!
Glad to know that my Trip Report was useful, thank you for your comments, jrslomp. Have a great trip!
I would avoid Tablao El Arenal. The dancers were awful as was the male singer. The only good performer was the guitar player.
Hello! I, too, am traveling to Seville this year and would like to experience flamenco. I have read many of this forum's posts on the subject, including CWSocial's very helpful trip report, and have decided that I would like to see a more cultural performance. Both La Casa de la Memoria and the Museum of Flamenco Dance come highly recommended. Can anyone help me decide between the two? Many thanks!
We were in Seville about a month ago and we saw a flamenco show at CASA DE LA MEMORIA. It was wonderful and I highly recommend it! The space is intimate with seating close to the stage and also an upper level. Most seats have a good view of the stage and performers. The musicians and dancers were amazing and we appreciated the rapport between them and with the audience. Do arrive at the venue early (20/30 minutes before the show) to access the best seats!
Here's a review of Casa Inquieta.
The newly opened Casa Inquieta has made itself heard — and not just with the plaintive notes and rat-tat-tat footwork of its pre-dinner flamenco performances in its multiple floors and spaces. After the show, one could make a meal of traditional Andalusian fried starters like calamari, tortillitas de camarones — crisp pancakes flecked with tiny shrimp — and ham or porcini mushroom croquetas.
