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Nicholas de Jongh's rating
Zorro's a real swish buckler
By
Nicholas de Jongh
16 Jul 2008
A new breed of escapist musical, inspired by an American pulp-fiction story and a brace of Hollywood movies, swaggered into town last night, looking as if it might make an original summer holiday attraction.
Set in a world of Spanish settlers and gypsies in primitive California two centuries ago, it offers a seductive combination of high melodrama and fairly high camp, with the pulsating beat of flamenco song and dance that enthuses this guitar-led, dynamically choreographed musical. A traditional boy-fights-to-get-girl scenario is given a fresh twist, since the boy in question dons the disguise of the old movie hero, Zorro.
This literally swinging, high-flying man in a mask, flowing cape and huge earrings borrowed from Lesli Margherita's sultry come-hitherish gipsy Inez, looks distinctly camp and he knows it.
"What must you think?" Matt Rawle's charismatic nonchalantly athletic and self-mocking Diego asks her, when masked and wearing a gaucho-style hat, decorated with feathers better suited to a fast lady.
Stephen Clark's book which he wrote with Helen Edmundson, could do with far more of such comic cuts to lighten the fairytale and romantic melodramatics of the musical's scenario: Diego, sent to study in Spain where he cannot resist falling in with a gypsy group and admiring the thrust of Inez's body, returns to California, which designer Tom Piper pictures as a grim sinister stockade.
Here Diego finds his benevolent king-like father apparently dead and Adam Levy's fury-filled Ramon establishing a reign of terror over the Spanish community in LA. How can he win his lost, true love, Emma Williams's, Luisa whose powerfullydeliveredsongs hanker repetitively for happiness, how too can he end Ramon's tyranny?
It takes, of course, Zorro in mask and cape with more than a few miraculous escape tricks and magic to win through.
Christopher Renshaw's production, in common with Clark's book could increase the campery and make even more sly fun of this hokum, though there is a nicely satirical moment of eaves-dropping on a confession that dramatically leads Zorro to disaster.
A succession of spectacular flying and fighting effects, about which it would be unfair to give away much add to the fun. The best of these make it actually seem as if Zorro escapes by dissolving into thin air or vanishing by a rope. And the final fight to the death between the two men's rapiers' flashing to the clamour of guitars, Zorro almost felled by a giant crucifix and turning the murderous tables again and again, is managed with genuine elan. The Zorro of Mr Rawle, who boasts the best looking teeth on the London stage, can permit himself a victorious smile.
John Cameron's score, wistful and slightly Sondheimian is unexceptional, but the music of the Gypsy Kings steels and helps make the show. In anthems like Freedom and the Fiesta of the finale, a joyful climax of furiously tapping feet and dancing energy is achieved: Here is authentic high energy as a contrast to the fairytale heroics of Zorro in a truly highflying musical.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (17)
WOW what a show this is! The passion, the music the breataknig stuntwork and the phenomenal dancing. Zorro is all you wolud want in a show and more. Heading the cast, the charmnig and very attractive Matt Rawle plays Digeo aka Zorro with drama, wit and that dashing bravado that Zorro needs. Emma Williams is a brilliant leading lady as the damsel in distress Luisa. Adam Levy is austonding as the sadistic yet tortured villain Ramon and Lesli Margarita shines as the gypsy queen Inez. Zorro is terrfic fun and great night out. I highly recommned it for all the family of all ages and I guarentee that you will leave this show with a BIG smile on your face and a song in your heart as you leave the show dancing. If I could rate this show I would give 10/10 or 5 stars. Brilliant show!
- Naomi, London,UK, 15/12/2008 21:37
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Finally an original musical,which does'nt sound like any other score.First rate cast,wonderful flamenco dancing and in terms of sheer entertainment this show cannot be bettered. Can't wait for the cast album.
- Peter Stead, Davie,Florida,U.S.A, 04/12/2008 16:24
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What a great night's entertainment! While the script leaves a lot to be desired, the energy and vitality of the entire cast makes for a very enjoyable show. The choreography is excellent and the flamenco dancers were superb! Emma Williams and Matt Rawle are such quality singers. I can't wait for the cast album to be released. The megamix at the end was exhillarating and the entire audience was on their feet. Loved it!
I had the pleasure of meeting Matt Rawle outside the theatre, and he kindly signed my programme.
- Barbara, Co. Clare, Ireland, Meelick, Co. Clare, Ireland, 30/10/2008 14:08
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Great show, funny and exciting. Stage has to be a lot bigger though. 5 stars!
- Junyoung, London, 30/10/2008 13:08
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Loved it...Will go back and see again!
- Barry Thomson, Glasgow, UK, 30/10/2008 13:08
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What a fantastic show! It has everything you could possibly want in a musical - and more! Great music, stunning dancing, humour, pyrotechnics, romance, rope tricks and brilliantly choreographed sword fights. And, thank you Zorro - finally, I get flamenco! The dancing was passionate and sensual and left me moved and stirred. But what really made it was the enthusiasm of the cast who acted, sang and danced their hearts out. This is what a musical should be. Bravo!
- Mandy, London, 30/10/2008 13:08
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Absolutely the best musical I have seen in London in 20 years... I have booked to see it two more times, and am bringing all my friends and family! If you want an absolutely superb night out, this is for you!
- Stacey, London, UK, 30/10/2008 13:08
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What can I say? Speechless with the fantastic performances, especially Mr Rawle (What charisma, style and voice)!
- Christine, Solihull, 30/10/2008 13:08
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I loved it, how can you write lyrics to the Gypsy Kings classic hits and make them feel like the original lyrics? But Stephen Clark manges it with such flair and style!
I particularly liked the love duet between Zorro and Luisa, 'A Love We'll Never Live', possibly the best new, West End song in the last 20 years! Bravo!
- Montalvan, london uk, 30/10/2008 13:08
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I usually hate musicals but I like the Gypsy Kings and my kids like Zorro so off we went. This was brilliant it had everything you would want in entertainment terms plus!
- Mick Gibbens, London, 30/10/2008 13:08
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We saw this last week when we were in London, and it was spectacular. I have been to many Broadway musicals and this was on par with almost all of them, especially with the amazing voice of Emma Williams whose performance was brilliant.
The plot was a little different than most Zorro plots- I don't ever remember gypsies in a Zorro plot (I think it was a device to bring the music into the play), but it worked- hey, it's fiction anyway. I could tell there were a couple of people in the audience that didn't like it (my guess is they didn't grow up on Zorro), but the rest of us had an absolute blast.
I hope to see a long run of this musical, and I hope it jumps the pond. And I hope they do a cast recording soon!
I highly recommend this- and I think kids would also love it.
- Alicia, San Antonio, TX, 30/10/2008 13:08
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Exciting! Zorro is the best muscial to open in several years (London and New York!). The rhythmic Spanish/Flamenco music and dancing remind me of how exotic West Side Story seemed in the 1950s. Wonderful for adults and amazing for children. This one is great for the whole family.
- Joyce Cramer, Orange, CT, USA, 30/10/2008 13:08
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If you want to have an enjoyable night out full of music, amazing flamengo dancers and an incredible cast, then Garrick Theatre is the place and Zorro the musical is the show!!
I just loved every single minute of it!
- Andian, london, 30/10/2008 13:08
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Brilliant show - funny, dramatic, sad, energetic, a great night out. Well done to all the cast.
- Isaac Family, Elstree, U.K., 30/10/2008 13:08
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Brilliant! Ay carumba!
- Marie Richards, London, 30/10/2008 13:08
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Loved Zorro - was great fun and brilliantly performed by all - highly recommended - definitely 5 stars!
- Katrina Wise, Brixham, Devon, 30/10/2008 13:08
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Loved it - the most energetic and enjoyable night we have had at a musical in years - worth travelling to the other side of the world for...
- Finn Family, Sydney, Aus, 30/10/2008 13:08
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