Given its status today, it’s hard to believe flamenco was once little more than flouncey-skirted tourist tat. Its revival owes much to Antonio Gades, the dancer and director who died in 2004 but who lives on in his 1983 film Carmen. He also created a stage version, which runs all week at Sadler’s Wells.

The set-up is simple enough — a flamenco troupe is preparing a version of Carmen, only for the director, who also plays Don José, to fall for his leading lady.

Life imitating art and actors imitating their characters is not new but Gades went further, creating a startlingly innovative double plot that weaves Bizet and cante, reality and fantasy, performance and rehearsal, with dancers both revering and spoofing their art form.

It transformed flamenco, as well as including some of the best dance sequences ever caught on film. It’s all there on the DVD, which is miles better than this stage version.

The main problem is Stella Arauzo, the company director and long-time Gades favourite, who is too old for the lead — there may be mileage in a mature Carmen but Arauzo isn’t it.

Other problems include the soggy direction, the fuzzy action and the 26-strong company who lack the energy and irreverence of the dancers they portray. Most are able, but they’ve no impetus, no danger.

Despite its name, this is no Carmen. Gades would turn.
Until 22 March (0844 412 4300, www.sadlerswells.com).