A Night Out in London: Zorro & 101 Bar Lounge

ZORRO
Where: Garrick Theatre
Nearest tube: Charing Cross/Leicester Square
When: Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Thursday & Saturday at 3pm
Tickets: £25-£60
ww.zorrothemusical.com

With great music, a carefully selected cast and impressive stage effects Zorro has made a striking impact on the West End.

Director Christopher Renshaw's UK and Broadway credits include The King and I and We Will Rock You. No surprise then that this is the kind of show that offers the audience that feel good factor. By the time you leave the Garrick the bounding energy that stimulates Zorro's 2 hours, 40 minutes will have you heading to the nearest salsa bar.

Spanish choreographer and flamenco dancer Rafael Amargo has given the productuion a raw and passionate edge; which compliments the music of Latin singers The Gipsy Kings beautifully. Easily recognisble hits Bamboleo, Baila Me and Djobi Djoba (favourites at tapas bars and restaurants) are seen in a fresh and more deserving light.

Created in 1919 by pulp writer Johnston McCulley, the iconic character Zorro has been featured in film, live action and animated television series, books, comics and even in a soon to be released Nintendo Wii game. But in the stage production, inspired by producer Isabel Allenda's Zorro: A Novel, the aerial acrobatics, sword-fighting and magic make the tale come alive.

Zorro is the secret identity of Don Diego de la Vega, a fictional wealthy caballero and master swordsman living in Spanish California, who defends the people of the land against injustice. Matt Rawle's take on the character is a pleasure to watch. Handsome, charming and agile he is every bit the charismatic hero. Emma Williams as the innocent Louisa, Zorro's love interest, backs him up well with impressive vocals and Adam Levy, playing enemy Ramon, masters the role of the bad guy with ease.

But you can't help being drawn to Lesli Margherita. As Inez, the gipsy with a heart, she has vocals, dance moves and stage presence in the bag. With a cheeky grin and zest she captures the Flamenco mood.

The icing on the cake is the costume, designed by Tom Piper. Flamboyant and colourful it blends in well with the Latino-style setting. If it's a night of thrilling escapism you're after, this is your show.

THE DRINKS

101 BAR LOUNGE
Where: 101 New Oxford Street, WC1 (020 7379 3112)
Opening hours: Open Mon-Thurs 4pm-3am (last drink), Fri&Sat 4pm-4am, Sun 4pm-2. 30am.
Being smack bang under Centrepoint means that 101 is certainly central and it's certainly busy. Later in the evening this is the place for music and flash drinks but early doors it makes a great meeting place. It opens at 4pm so it's a good place to lay the foundations of a long night. Note that the cocktail promos and happy hour deals tend to run 5pm-9pm - another reason to be prompt.
Charles Campion