What the brothers propose Diego Aguilar (Valladolid, 1999) and Hugo Aguilar (Valladolid, 2003) is not the film Matter of time de Richard Curtis (2013), which explores a journey through time, although they could be similar in that both brothers look inward, towards the memory that time constructs.
With this performance, the Valladolid artists won the prize at the 2025 Spanish Dance Choreographic Competition and Flamenco From Madrid, and what they propose is a journey that examines the paternal legacy, family traits and the maturation process of two brothers who have shaped the character and spirit in the field of dance.
The exploration of memory begins in the presence of the father, which gives meaning to family cohesion and identity, thus stimulating the transfer to memories in order to create an interesting world, both visually and in dance.
This offers many layers that describe the place between childhood and youth, undertaking the first movement with memory, a remembrance that the authors call Rembranza, a term now obsolete to give shape to the “memory that awakens”, singular movements that captivate the viewer from the changing arrangement.
The light that shines from the family does not dim. Rather, it seeks perfect whiteness from the primeThe second movement addresses the beginning of something, the "light that begins" to illuminate the flexibility of the dancers, in which they show themselves to be very professional, active and motivated.
The third sequence focuses on the moment when the brothers meet, the Confluence, The union of different currents in order to form a common channel, where they raise the possibility of dialogue from the theory of reception, with the intention of opening up to the possibility of discovering innovative and creative proposals.
"The Valladolid natives move like fish in water in languages that are not so easy to define, yet they imbue them with enormous sensitivity and delicacy, which gives the whole very dynamic moments, with impeccable spatial work, showing themselves to be somewhat more unstable in the flamenco transmission, but fulfilling themselves competently on the acting level"
The production thus confronts the ground on which to stand, the ground on which to assert identity. And there it is. Soler, an unwavering and evocative fourth movement in which the Aguilar brothers function with great efficiency and without general confusion in the spectator, with a well-rounded stage aptitude, flexible gestures and movements capable of shining in the darkest areas.
There is, therefore, absolute mastery of technique, extraordinary bodily flexibility, and great beauty in dance linesThe Valladolid natives move like fish in water in languages that are not so easy to define, yet they provide enormous sensitivity and delicacy, which gives the whole very dynamic moments, with impeccable spatial work, showing themselves to be somewhat more unstable in the flamenco transmission, but fulfilling themselves with competence in the acting field.
The closing of the proposal focuses on the future that opens up, the Threshold, which represents one of the boldest moments of the entire production, since the protagonists, who leave great artistic and symbolic weight, take risks to achieve the spectacular effect, not questioning the public, but conquering it with a disturbing force.
In line with the above, I highlight the farruca, or the dialogue at the table in front of the metronome, as well as the pas de deux, the technical resolution of the taranto with the levantica of The Lame Man from Malaga, and the tangos in perfect synchronization.
This is how Diego and Hugo Aguilar construct a highly symbolic stage space, playing with contrast despite the meager light and, above all, with language, which demonstrates the imposing power in the face of diverse discourses, with the added mastery of nuances, attention to expressive detail or their remarkable confidence, which give their execution an indisputable competence.
There is, therefore, an expressionistic complacency towards the public that underlines the omnipresence of technical control, and a story is built not through constant and deep tension, but rather from the clear revelation of a formal structure with a correct narrative development, in which a clear and subtle balance emerges, without risk of becoming vulgar.
All is Matter of timeAs the title of the proposal states, which, whether you like it or not, is well-rounded in its conception and moves fluidly between the flamenco and the moments of introspective lyricism, as if one wanted to establish the difference between what one is and what one dreams of being.
Credits
Matter of timeby Diego Aguilar and Hugo Aguilar
XXX Jerez Festival
Company Hall, Jerez
February 24th 2026
Direction, choreography and performance: Diego and Hugo Aguilar
Guitar: Jesus Rodriguez
CanteAmparo Lagares
Percussion: David Rodríguez aka Chupete
Special collaboration: Arturo Aguilar
