THE AMAZING story of Spanish dancer Lola Montez – who helped give birth to the notion of ‘celebrity’ – will be told at Salisbury Arts Centre next month.

In fact, the real-life Lola was neither Spanish nor a dancer, but she convinced the world she was both.

Born Eliza Rosanna Gilbert in Ireland in 1821, she re-invented herself as ‘Lola Montez’ and performed throughout the world seducing many wealthy and influential men along the way. Her story is told accompanied by live on-stage music from renowned flamenco guitarist Ricardo Garcia. As well as accompanying the performance, Garcia plays her Spanish musician and muse in the performance and will perform a variety of musical genres throughout from Irish jigs to an adapted Liszt piano piece as well as Spanish tangos and bolereas, fandangos and rumbas.

Lola’s true story is brought to life by Trestle Theatre, one of the UK’s leading touring theatre companies. To present this performance the company have collaborated with Barcelona-based dance company Increpacion Danza who are well known for their work fusing contemporary dance with flamenco.

Trestle Theatre Company decided to produce Lola after artistic director Emily Gray heard her story. She says: “Having heard about Lola Montez, I began to delve into her actual story and the myths that have grown up around her. She lived through and contributed to the birth of the notion of celebrity; she was a shameless self promoter and fabricator of dramatic stories and events. This story is particularly relevant today, and we are delighted to be presenting it in Salisbury.”

n Lola is at Salisbury Arts Centre on Wednesday 1 April 2009. The performance begins at 8pm. Tickets cost only £9, concessions £7 and are available from the Box Office on 01722 321744.