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Johnny Depp has become, in his young middle age, like a star of the movies’ golden period
Public Enemies
Music
this was a triumph of eye-popping production and exhausting choreography
Madonna
Theatre
If his smug stage persona is tricky to warm to, his skill, and the snappiness of Andy Nyman’s direction, are spot-on
Derren Brown
If you are feeling totally fed up with your lot at the moment with the economic squeeze - go see this film
I thought this was an excellent, powerful production. The staging and acting were superb, it is well worth going to see
Absolutely AMAZING show that went like a train for three hours solid and didn't waiver once!
London,
Jane Cornwell's rating
Reader rating
Description: The Venezuelan salsa singer, bandleader and composer plays dancefloor tunes.
"I'M 65," announced Oscar D'León, gyrating in a circle. "Do some aerobics with me!" Age and three heart attacks have not wearied El León de la Salsa, who bounced around in front of his 18-piece orchestra like a hyperactive teen. This was the first London show in five years from the great Venezuelan singer and bandleader. There was, then, no time to waste.
The opening medley - a mix of Latin music genres - reinforced D'León s status as a hero of the Latin diaspora. The former taxi driver then set off on a joy ride through two-and-a-half hours of brass-fuelled classics that included his version of Beny More's Que Bueno Baila Usted. Tito Puente's Oye Como Va came peppered with percussion solos: sparks flew from guiras and maracas. Sticks somersaulted in the air.
D'León channelled his talent for improvising into a sung paean to London's Latinos; a jazz duet began with some impressive mouth trumpet. An adoring crowd danced everything from merengue and reggaeton to cha-cha-cha and the Macarena while, up onstage, D'León danced with them. He might have leant on his double bass for the encore, Mi Bajo Y Yo, but the evergreen salsero was scarcely drawing breath.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
