Marlene Monteiro Freitas & Israel Galván

This encounter takes shape in a minimalist, unyielding setting: a wooden floor, a wall, two chairs and a flickering neon light. There is no shelter in sight; the rest of the stage remains in darkness. Visibility here is a choice. Whoever wishes to meet the other must step into the light. 

What follows is not a classical duet, but a playful conversation in body language. ›RI TE‹ revolves around an encounter without pre-arranged agreements. There is no attempt at fusion or reconciliation. Flamenco remains flamenco, performance remains performance. 

Yet reflections emerge. In timing, posture and detail, the performers recognise one another, like twins who see a resemblance but consciously maintain their distance. The choreography plays with attraction and repulsion, opening up and withdrawing. Movements begin and stop abruptly; gestures are initiated and then broken off. This results in an almost burlesque interplay in which humour and tension go hand in hand. 

Flamenco appears in fragments: a posture, a glance, an exclamation that lingers. A recurring moment forms the heart of the performance: ‘olé’ becomes physical release, after which the gesture immediately evokes its opposite. Attraction turns into resistance, not psychologically but physically.