Chicos Mambo Review: Tutu at Sadler's Wells East Falls Short

Julia Wagner · 2026-02-13

Let's talk about dance performances that don't quite hit the mark. We've all been there, right? You're sitting in the audience, hoping for magic, and instead you get... well, something else entirely. That's the feeling I got reading about Chicos Mambo's "Tutu" at Sadler's Wells East. ### What Went Wrong With This Production? The production was described as a "low-level farce" by critics, and honestly, that's putting it mildly. When you're working with dance, especially in a venue with the reputation of Sadler's Wells, expectations run high. This performance apparently missed the mark on several fronts. First, there's the choreography itself. Good dance tells a story, creates emotion, moves you. From what I've gathered, this felt more like a series of disconnected movements without clear intention. It's like watching someone speak without actually saying anything meaningful. ### The Importance of Cohesive Storytelling in Dance Here's the thing about dance performances - they need to connect. Whether it's through narrative, emotion, or pure physical expression, there has to be something that ties it all together. When that missing piece isn't there, the audience notices. They feel it in their bones. I remember watching a performance once where the dancers were technically perfect, but the story just didn't land. The audience sat there politely, but you could feel the disconnect. It's a tough lesson for any choreographer or studio director. ### Lessons for Dance Professionals So what can we take from this? A few key points come to mind: - Always consider your audience's experience from start to finish - Ensure your choreography has clear intention and emotional through-line - Test your concepts with smaller audiences before major productions - Don't be afraid to workshop and refine until it feels right As one experienced choreographer once told me, "Dance isn't just about the steps. It's about the space between the steps." That's where the magic happens. ### Creating Better Dance Experiences For studio owners and choreographers reading this, here's my advice. Start with why. Why this piece? Why now? Why these movements? When you can answer those questions clearly, your work will resonate more deeply. Think about the last performance that truly moved you. What made it special? Probably not just the technical skill, but the heart behind it. That's what audiences remember. ### Moving Forward After Critical Feedback Receiving negative reviews hurts. I won't pretend otherwise. But here's the silver lining - it's an opportunity to grow. Every choreographer has had moments that didn't land as planned. The important thing is what you do next. Take the feedback, sit with it, and then decide what's useful. Sometimes critics see things we miss in the rehearsal room. Other times, they're just not your target audience. Knowing the difference is part of the craft. At the end of the day, dance is about connection. When we lose that connection with our audience, we've lost the thread. The good news? Every performance is a chance to find it again. Every studio class, every rehearsal, every show - they're all opportunities to create something that truly moves people. And isn't that why we do this in the first place?