Review: Baila Brazil

Last updated: 15 July 2023

Baila Brazil, a fusion of percussion, rhythmic drumming & dance topped with some very decent eye candy.  Emerging as an urban dance movement from Uberlândia in Brazil, Baila Brazil is the blending of classical dance, funk, break-dancing and modern contemporary while paying homage to the roots of their homeland. 

The dance troupe doubles as live percussionists, which consists of 11 very fit sweaty men & a lady throwing themselves about on the stage that puts Olympic gymnasts to shame. Amid the flurry of heaving bodies, is the strong and authoritative voice of Alexia Falcao Lopes that commands the stage as her army of dancers swoon around her.

The set is minimal, just some simple scaffolding with a colour driven backdrop. Items from the set serve multiple purposes that you barely notice until it’s out on show in front of you.  Trumpets doubling as oars, who would have thought that’s a thing!  Amongst the colour, the set rises high on the stage.  There’s just enough space for the gender-bending cast to climb to the top to reveal their undulating bodies in nothing more than red boxer shorts.  Small ones at that.  (The boxers not the bodies!) 

READ MORE: 37 Things to do in London for Couples

There are times when the deafening drumming can be a tad tedious and then the energy picks up, the beat changes and the audience gets involved. Audience clapping, singing and at times, standing to shake what their mumma gave them.  There’s not many shows where the cast step into the stalls to dance with audience members or where participation is actively encouraged.  Perhaps a change for the better? We’ll see. In this show, it works.

Now, you might be wondering is Baila Brazil for me? Well look at it objectively.  The dancers are extremely talented; they’re strong, flexible & shimmy across the stage as if their limbs were independent from their bodies.  Oooo Mumma and what bodies they are. They’re, as we say in Australia, ripped. Abs for days,  arms like Christmas hams. Even to just for a bit of eye candy, these dancers gave quite a bit to offer.

Tsk tsk

On a more sour note, the behaviour of some audience members in this show can’t go with comment. Regular & not so subtle chatterboxes, phones being used mid performance and to go as far as using a camera with a flash!   Unless your spouse had a heart attack or your train broke down, there’s little excuse to arrive 20 minutes late to a show, especially to walk in with items from the snack bar to boot!  Performances are not an opportunity to catch up on the latest gossip nor are they the place for live tweeting. Turn your phone off. 90 mins of peace is good for your health and the sanity of everyone around you.  

The Essentials | Baila Brazil

• When: Tickets are on sale from now until 15 August 2015.
• Where: Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London, SE1 8XX
• Transport: Southbank is a stone’s throw from Waterloo with direct access to Jubilee, Bakerloo and Waterloo & City tube lines as well as National Rail services.
• Cost: Tickets from £15.
• Verdict: If the percussion and dance is your flavour then this production is right up your alley. The full 90 minute show with no intermission can test some bladders.
• Disclosure: While I was a guest of Theatre Bloggers, all opinions, as always, are my own.

Looking for other things to do in London? Try the below bestsellers