Terrific Audience Response to Ham and Passion Premiere

DeNada Dance Theatre, and Fernando the Ham, taking a curtain call after the London premiere of Ham and Passion, by Carlos Pons Guerra. Photo: Emma Kauldhar 

DeNada Dance Theatre opened its 2017 National Tour of Ham and Passion at Wilton’s Music Hall, London, on 21st February, on a two-night run. We are delighted that the premiere was met by a terrific reaction from the audience and national, international and specialised press. Ham and Passion was excitedly reviewed by a number of publications, including The Evening Standard, Independent, Bachtrack, Londondance, DanceTabs, La Tundra,The Reviewshub, Gay Star News and more.

On premiere night, DeNada’s dancers were roared back onstage for a second curtain call, and we have been overwhelmed by the amount of positive words and reactions online.

We would like to share some of these comments and thank our audience, from the heart, for their support and generosity:

“The bill is dangerous and fascinating and mirroring the real world at the moment as we struggle for our identity and sexual needs and desires. O Maria was shocking and seemingly blasphemous as well as gentle and loving - and funny too! What you can do with a leg of ham!”

Patricia Doyle, theatre director

“Gender bending blasphemous fabulousness. Plus Mary dancing like Martha. Winner. Well done all of you!”

Valentina Golfieri, dancer, choreographer and designer.

“Canarian choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra fascinates the UK. Ham and Passion starts its tour in the spectacular Wilton’s Music Hall.”

Ainhoa Paredes, London correspondent, Telecinco News.

“Debauchery of creativity thanks to a leg of ham, all in Ham and Passion, by choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra.”

Rita A. Tudela, photo journalist, The Voice of Galicia

“Great show by DeNada at Wilton’s Music Hall. Really powerful, provocative and a little disturbing!(In a good way). Congrats Carlos Pons Guerra”

Toby Batley, dancer

“Congrats on Ham and Passion, DeNada- Spanish music with very edgy church choreography- taking risks in dance.”

Claudia Redmond, broadcast journalist

“More fight-flirt dancing on our stage please! A beautiful tribute to the bravery of drag queens in Civil War Spain!”

Amy Wilx

“Unmissable”

Theatre Bench

“This was wonderful last night. Absurdist, anarchic, angst-filled dance from a brilliant Spanish company. Dressed to the nines by Ryan Laight.”

Alan Turkington

“Loved DeNada’s Ham and passion in the beautiful setting of Wilton’s Music Hall, featuring stunning performances from a leg of ham and the three dancers. So great”

Bella Eacott

“What a fabulous evening. Loved and was obsessed with the handography! Bravo”

Saba Ali

“Last night, Ham & Passion at Wiltons. Dance needs more gender-swapped, boundary pushing, provocative...whatever it was, with sequins. So bold and assured. Really grabs you by the salamis…Carlos Pons Guerra is, for sure, a twisted, mad, sorcerer of a choreographer”

Hannah Young

“Just one word for tonight’s performance of DeNada’s Ham and Passion: INCREDIBLE. Thank you Carlos Pons Guerra and cast for such a beautiful piece.”

Cygnet Theatre

“Beautiful work- dark, funny and very visual!”

Maria Falconer, photographer

“Intricate, tender, playful, poignant. Ham and Passion did not disappoint tonight. Outstanding.”

Marina O’Shea, writer and actor

“Great evening out. Get tickets while you can”

Bob O’Dwyer

To catch Ham and Passion on tour, visit our What's On page for dates and venue information.