Review: ZORRO THE MUSICAL, Charing Cross Theatre
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
There's a new masked character in the West End! But instead of opera singing and falling chandeliers, it's sword fighting and family drama as El Zorro takes to the stage at Charing Cross Theatre. The cast set the venue alight with their passion and energy as they create a night of escapism that leaves you feeling on an absolute high.
From the moment you walk into the auditorium, the cast are hard at work setting the immersive scene, actor-musos wander the space taking people to their seats and welcoming them with dance and conversation. This truly sets the scene for an entirely unique evening.
As the action unfolds, merging the story of Zorro with the music of the Gypsy Kings, the audience are still very much involved with the production as small interactions allow for everyone to take home a unique experience. We were sat on the aisle seat of Row B and having to duck swords and help hide villagers certainly excited us and made us feel as if we were part of the story.
This musical succeeds mostly with its large group numbers, such as the instantly recognisable ‘Bamboleo’. During scenes such as this, the cast perform as if their lives depend on it. Their energy is enough to fill the room ten times over resulting in a fiery and passionate atmosphere unlike any other on the West End. Music fills the room and thanks to the actor-musos in the cast, wherever you are sat you get a slightly different sound, adding to the sense that this performance is well and truly alive.
When this show focuses on its story, it can be predictable and almost pantomime, but it's our belief that this is the aim of the production. What the company seem to be going for is more of an amazing night out than something to sit and scrutinise. This is the same of some performances, which can occasionally become caricature-like, particularly within Act 2. This is not to say that it isn't *incredibly* entertaining, just that the tone of the show changes sometimes a little too much.
As Diego (Zorro), Benjamin Purkiss is ever charismatic, a magnet to the audience’s eyes whenever on stage. His voice glides across the venue as it fills the space. One to watch out for in the future, we're sure. Marc Pickering is also a wonderful standout as Sergeant García; hilarious in every aspect of his performance, and able to have the audience on his side throughout.
The female cast members, Phoebe Panaretos and Paige Fenlon in particular, are truly a sight and sound to behold, generating powerful and ethereal vocal moments that astound and amaze. Harmonising beautifully and creating moments of dance that are nothing short of explosive.
We must also applaud fight director Renny Krupinski who has created truly believable sword contact sequences that are genuinely unpredictable and exciting. The cast are so polished, even in their imperfections, which is what sells the fighting even more. You couldn't stage Zorro without its sword fighting, and Krupinski truly delivers upon this promise.
This show is explosive; an incredibly entertaining evening out that is brilliantly diverse, accessible and sure to reach audiences of all ages.
For more information and to book tickets, please click here.
