As a leading exponent of modern flamenco, María Pagés had been searching to replace traditional 12mm plywood flooring with a new type of floor that could offer the purity of sound demanded, and at the same time reduce physical stress on the dancers. Patrick Lesage from Harlequin International already had an idea that Harlequin Liberty floor could provide a modern solution to this problem and discussions were opened at the company's studios in Torrelodones, near Madrid. Testing soon followed, both in Madrid and at Harlequin's Tunbridge Wells headquarters with María discovering for herself the benefits of Liberty, leading to a decision to use the floor in the London performances and in the subsequent tour by her company to New York, Rome, Tokyo, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
In order to produce the right sound, dancers have to strike the floor hard, an action that is stressful to the body. But with Harlequin Liberty, the panels are constructed to absorb the shock but still produce a suitable sonorous effect when combined with a Harlequin vinyl floor surface. A total of 60 panels formed the floor at Sadler's Wells, each constructed from multiple layers and bonded to form an 18 mm thick, stable substructure for the vinyl surface. Each full size panel has 45 dual density elastomer blocks spaced at regular centres, which absorb impact and give a consistently even energy return over the entire surface of the floor and with no hard spots at the joints.
The María Pagés Company also utilized Harlequin Storage Carts for transporting and storing the Liberty panels when touring the show.
(Lee Baldock)
