Meet the Woman Behind the Show: Helena and the Passion Behind Picasso: His Life and Loves
This Saturday 21st March at 3pm, audiences at New Park Centre will have the opportunity to experience a powerful evening of dance theatre with Picasso: His Life and Loves, a unique Flamenco production that explores the life, art and relationships of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Behind this striking production is Helena, principal dancer, choreographer and founder of Duende Flamenco, whose passion for dance, storytelling and cultural education has shaped an extraordinary career.
A Life Dedicated to Dance
Helena’s work spans performance, teaching and creative direction. She embodies all three roles with equal passion. As founder of Duende Flamenco, she leads a range of artistic projects including her teaching school and the performance company Canción Gitana, where she serves as principal dancer and choreographer.
Her work is deeply rooted in a desire not only to teach dance, but to share the rich culture behind it.
“Dance for me is performance, teaching and storytelling all at once,” Helena explains. “I want students and audiences to experience the culture of Spain and the traditions of the Gypsy communities where Flamenco was born.”
Helena is qualified in both Spain and the UK; she also teaches in each country. She is among the select group of educators in the UK accredited to teach flamenco at degree level, and has taught at the London Flamenco Festival, the UK's premier event. Her participation attests to her extensive knowledge and disciplined approach to the art form.
Bringing Dance into the Community
Helena’s long-standing connection with New Park Centre began with Flamenco classes, later expanding to include ballet training.
Her approach reflects the reality of professional dance training in Spain, where many Flamenco artists also study ballet to develop strength, flexibility and discipline.
The classes are open to anyone who wants to learn authentic dance while improving their fitness and confidence.
“Both ballet and Flamenco require willingness to learn and to bring effort and concentration,” Helena says. “But what people gain goes far beyond technique.”
Students often discover improved fitness, greater self-awareness and a growing sense of confidence. Alongside the joy of learning real choreography in a welcoming environment. Teaching, Helena says, also fuels her creativity as a choreographer. “It keeps me exploring dance forms and developing new choreography for performance.”
Flamenco Tells Picasso’s Story
Helena’s latest production, inspired by the life of Pablo Picasso, takes audiences on a powerful journey through the artist’s life and the women and experiences that shaped his work.
The idea grew from Helena’s love of unconventional Flamenco theatre. While many UK performances follow traditional formats, in Spain Flamenco theatre productions are far more common, blending dance with narrative storytelling.
Picasso: His Life and Loves brings that approach to British audiences.
“Picasso painted Flamenco dancers and enjoyed Flamenco,” Helena explains. “It felt like the right artistic language to explore his story.”
The production unfolds chronologically, introducing audiences to the major phases of Picasso’s life and the relationships that inspired his most famous works.
Rather than presenting the artist simply as a genius, the show explores the complexity of his character.
“He was a great artist,” Helena reflects, “perhaps a lesser human being.”
A Powerful Fusion of Art Forms
The show blends Flamenco dance with live music, film, narration, poetry and song, creating a fully immersive piece of dance theatre. This includes the authentic Gypsy sobriquet La Leyenda gifted by a legendary Andalucian Gypsy singer.
Audiences will also experience one of Flamenco’s most powerful forms such as the Siguiriyas dance, traditionally known as the darkest and most emotional style in Flamenco. In Helena’s choreography, it reflects the pain and suffering experienced by the Gypsy communities at the heart of the art form.
“It’s always the deepest dance in Flamenco,” she says.
The production toured successfully across theatres from 2023 to 2025, where its rich storytelling and dramatic choreography captivated audiences.
Supporting the Arts and the Community
For Helena, bringing the show to New Park Centre in aid of the RAISE THE ROOF community appeal, also holds personal meaning. The venue has long been one of her teaching bases, with a loyal community of students.
Supporting the arts and bringing creative work into community spaces has always been central to her values.
“I like to work with and support the arts wherever I go and bring others along with me.”
While the technical complexity of Helena’s productions often requires larger theatre venues, she relishes the opportunity to share work like this with local audiences whenever possible.
What Audiences Can Expect
For those new to Flamenco, Helena hopes the experience will be captivating.
“I hope audiences will be fascinated, immersed and drawn into the story.”
Through dance, music and imagery, the show reveals both the brilliance and the contradictions of one of history’s most famous artists. And when the final curtain falls? Helena hopes audiences leave with a sense of awe.
What Audiences Can Expect
If you are looking for an afternoon of powerful performance, rich storytelling and world-class flamenco, Picasso: His Life and Loves promises to be a truly memorable event. Helena offers a simple message to those considering attending: “Be prepared for a form of dance theatre that is all-involving.”
With only a short time to go until the performance, audiences are encouraged to book due to limited spaces and experience this unique fusion of art, history and Flamenco passion.