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
