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Nick Curtis's rating
, Swash, buckle and music in Zorro
By
Nick Curtis
2 Jul 2008
What will and what won't work as a musical has vexed better brains than mine. There is no rhyme nor reason to it, no logic, no alchemical formula.
An Abba musical, Mamma Mia!, becomes an international hit and then a Hollywood film, while a Blondie musical based on a Hollywood film, Desperately Seeking Susan, closes after two weeks.
Les Misérables, an improbable adaptation from Victor Hugo, runs and runs, while The Man in the Iron Mask, based on Dumas's far more straightforwardly romantic story, flops.
All of which is a roundabout way of saying it's impossible to predict the fate of the Spanish-accented singalong that's just taken up residence at the Garrick. But by any standards, Zorro the musical is a curious beast.
The swashbuckling masked swordsman is a pulp character created in 1919 but this version of his story is based on the literary novel by Isabel Allende and adapted for the stage by two writers whose past credits include work with Stephen Sondheim and stage adaptations of Tolstoy.
The music, weirdly, is by the Gypsy Kings, and includes their hits Bamoleo and Djobi Djoba, which are either staggeringly successful international expressions of Hispanic culture or two of the most annoying songs ever recorded, depending on your view.
The lead actors - Matt Rawle as Zorro and Emma Williams as the love-interest Luisa - are stalwarts of the British musical stage but hardly names to rank alongside Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta Jones (or Douglas Fairbanks, come to that). Oh, and there is flamenco choreography from the Spaniard Rafael Amargo, while the director, Christopher Renshaw, is British.
On its pre-London tour, the Eastbourne-Gazette loved the show, praising its comic script and highkicking, acrobatic energy.
Whether the London critics, and audiences, concur remains to be seen. I would hazard a guess, though, that such an eclectic combination of talents and influences will make Zorro the musical memorable, whether it is a hit or a flop.
Previewing now, booking to 10 January 2009 (0844 412 4662; www.zorrothemusical.com).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (9)
One of the musicals that still pulsates long after you have left the theatre - if you only have to see one show at the West End at the moment, better make it Zorro, it is THAT fantastic!
- Feigned Mischief, London, United Kingdom, 29/11/2008 10:09
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Thoroughly enjoyable show with high energy, great dancing and music.
We saw the show in its second night of trials in London. After seeing 5 other shows over the last 10 days, I liked this the best. The audience reaction was very positive with a lengthy standing ovation at the end. I highly recommend this show.
- Jrw, Boston USA, 29/11/2008 09:09
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Saw the show yesterday 5th July, family group - 2 boys 8 and 6.......What a great show, a lively spectacle that has it all..the cast were fantastic, boy can they dance and sing! Top musicians setting the Gypsy Kings music. Excellent set..very visual. Scripted with humour and plenty for the audience to laugh at...My boys loved it, lots of Z action, I've never been keen on musicals but this show has changed my mind! Highly recommended.
- M Fraser, London, 29/11/2008 09:09
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Absolutely the best Saturday night out for years. Inez actress stunning and stole the show. So good to see no political correctness. Also appears to be no H and S police around, fires etc all over the stage and guitarists dangling off high ledges and people with nooses round necks. This will be biggest show in London, much more enjoyable than Hairspray, and, unless someone steals all the lead off the roof or the manhole covers from the road, might even rehabilitate the Irish Travelling community. No, on second thoughts, its not quite that good.
- Jaun, Romford England, 29/11/2008 09:09
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I came often to London to see some shows. But this one is stunning, brilliant and its story with humour, music, dancing and touching sequences is a hammer!
I have never seen something like this on a West End stage.
The actors are brilliant (especially Lesli Margherita as INEZ is a showstopper for your eyes and ears), the flamenco-dancers are dancing their hearts out, the stage is eye-popping and the music is both: Deeply haunting and full of melodies! The story is - this was no wonder because Isabell Allende is involved in this production - full of humour and courage, full of life and vivid. The singing leads you to a goozebump and when the show is over, you have just one wish: To see it again. I will keep my fingers crossed that I will have the chance to see it again in January. The only thing I can see is: Go and watch this show, you will love it. The children loved it, even the older people and I (just became 40) - so: What do you want more to get for your money?
Congratulations to the ZORRO-crew and cast!
- Donato Ploegert, Berlin, Germany, 29/11/2008 09:09
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Went to London on Monday for tea for two at The Dorchester! How lucky are we! So my friend and I decided to make the most of it by going to the theatre in the evening. We had not even heard anything about Zorro, the musical. We therefore, rather apprehensively, went along to the Garrick and found that two seats were available [brilliant seats in fact] and were informed that the show had been a sell-out all week, so that was good to hear and liking The Gipsy Kings was an added bonus. Well, let me tell you, this musical is excellent. It had everything and the dancing was second to none. I love live theatre and this did not disappoint. It was exciting, emotional and dare I say, funny. All the cast danced and acted their hearts out. If I had to choose a favourite (which is so difficult) it would be between Inez and Garcia, who were truly show stopping material but having said that Zorro himself was wonderful and it is a long, long time since I have seen a standing ovation for 10 minutes or more. Go see the show. I would love to see it again and am spreading the word far and wide.
- Patricia Hackett, Rochester, Kent, 29/11/2008 09:09
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As a long-time fan of the Zorro character, I absolutely loved this show! The music has been in my head since I saw it. Outstanding performances by the entire cast; Matt Rawle was an excellent Zorro, Emma Williams a delight as Luisa, and Adam Levy the perfect villian as Capt. Ramon. The dancing was fantastic and the sword fights were superb. Standing ovation the night I was there.
- Kathy C, Alexandria, Virginia, USA, 29/11/2008 09:09
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Absolutely loved it, took my two children 13 and 10 and felt it was suitable for all. Music was fantastic, can't fault the Gypsy Kings. The set was very exciting with Zorro flying across the set and a large Z set on fire. The leads were outstanding (especially Zorro) and the singing was sensational. We laughed and sang, an all round musical for the family. Highly recommended.
- June Reynolds, Hillingdon, Middlesex, 29/11/2008 09:09
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Saw the show yesterday. Went with my sister- both of us in our 50's and avid fans of the Gypsy Kings but not sure if Zorro was going to live up to our expectations. How wrong were we! The show was FANTASTIC with lots of humour, emotion, excitement and great songs. All the cast were brilliant. We had a wonderful time. We wanted to get up on stage to sing and dance with the cast. It is the best musical we have seen in a long while! We highly recommend so don't miss it!
- Ana Suarez, Southgate, London, 29/11/2008 09:09
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