MALEVO by Matias Jaime.

Thirteen Argentinian powerful and competent musicians/dancers take to The Peacock Theatre stage to entertain and delight audiences until November 4th 2023. The traditional Argentine Malambo, MALEVO visits the UK for the first time and hopefully this will not be the last. To amaze, wow and entertain London theatregoers.

The skilled use of different coloured boleadoras (a traditional throwing weapon weighted on either end with rocks) features halfway through the performance and continues until the end. These weapons create an array of mystiques around the performers as they used them in time with the music from the extremely talented four-piece band at the back of the stage.

The performance by the accordion musician stood out for me. An instrument rarely seen on British stages. It created an absolute beguiling setting during a couple of his solo pieces.

Choreographer, director and creator Matias Jaime has an incredible eye for detail. Each of the thirteen performers was a credit to the work Jaime has created and each section of the performance appeared to flow following natural rhythms. There’s no storyline to follow just a celebration of Argentinian dance and music.

Without an interval, the stamina and performances of all thirteen members are an incredible sight to witness. Never faltering or showing signs of fatigue they are performers at the top of their peak physique and it’s an impressive display of just how powerful a body can perform with the correct training and determination.

The eighty-minute performance was described by my friend as “Riverdance meets Stomp but on speed” and upon reflection I fully agree with her.