Posts with the label Zorro
Showing posts with label Zorro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zorro. Show all posts
Wednesday 13 April 2022
Zorro, Charing Cross Theatre | Review
Zorro
Charing Cross Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 12th April 2022 by Hope Priddle
★★★★★
Last seen in London in 2008, Zorro is back and ready to bring a taste of Spain to the Charing Cross Theatre! Set to a legendary soundtrack by the Gipsy Kings, this sizzling show follows the mysterious masked vigilante El Zorro in his efforts to defend the Pueblo of Los Angeles from a ruthless autocratic leader. Written by Stephen Clarke and Helen Edmundson, the book is pacey and exhilarating. Whilst drama and action undeniably motivate this production, it really shines in the quiet moments of passion and pathos between our central lovers.
Ben Purkiss is perfectly cast in the titular role. He is utterly endearing as the charismatic and courageous Diego, but he transforms into the suave crusader with ease. Alex Gibson-Giorgio gives an accomplished performance as the tormented tyrant, and Diego’s estranged brother, Ramon. Gibson-Giorgio masterfully conveys Ramon’s internal conflict, inviting sympathy despite his character’s irredeemable actions. Special mention must go to Marc Pickering as Garcia, who is tremendous as our comedic antagonist. Not only does he play the fool, but his character has real heart and displays a truly rewarding arc.
Despite its name, this production is all about its women. Phoebe Panaretos is a complete tour-de-force as the sensual, strong-willed Gyspy queen Inez. Her voice is rich and full-bodied, stealing the showing on more than one occasion. Panaretos leads a rousing rendition of Bamboleo at the end of Act One, captivating her audience in every way possible. Paige Fenlon is similarly exquisite as Diego’s childhood friend Louisa. Louisa may appear innocent on first introduction, but a fire quickly ignites inside of her as she leads the Pueblo uprising. Fenlon’s heavenly vocals soar as her character finds her voice.
Panaretos and Fenlon are supported by a searing female ensemble who truly are the lifeblood of this production. Their vital choreography and visceral harmonious drive the action forward. During Libertad, the ensemble cries sympathetically as one, moving as a single pulsating body under sanguine lighting designed by Matthew Haskins.
Creative elements work in harmony to create a production which is immersive and evocative. The traverse staging, admittedly typical of productions at this venue, works to enclose the Pueblo and create a homely, intimate feel. Set and Costume Designer Rosa Maggiora does a tremendous job of world building. A multi-levelled set elevates the action, whilst aisles and doorways are used effectively for either flamboyant or stealthy entrances and exits. An actor-muso approach greatly compliments this production. Talented ensemble members play classical guitar and trumpets, recreating the sounds of 19th Century California. Moreover, the very stage itself becomes an instrument, integral as brass or string. As the cast stamp and stomp across the floor, they ‘play’ the boards and percussive sound fills the rafters.
With thrilling stage combat (Renny Krupinski) and impactful flamenco routines (Cressida Carre) led by the commanding Ajjaz Awad, this dynamic production is packed full of colour, texture and noise. It fully embraces its audience, sweeping them up into the spirited world of Spanish Gypsies and swashbuckling heroes.
photo credit: Pamela Raith
Wednesday 30 March 2022
Alex Gibson-Giorgio Discusses Playing the Villain and Returning to the Stage | Zorro | Interview
You’re in for a night of heartfelt story telling full of passion, love, swashbuckling and sword fighting Alex Gibson-Giorgio is set to play Ramon in Zorro the Musical which is set to open at the Charing Cross Theatre this weekend. Pre-opening he chats to us about the rehearsal process, what it's like playing the villain and what audiences can expect from the musical...
Firstly, could you tell us a little bit about what audiences can expect from Zorro?
We all know and love the mask-wearing, sword-wielding bandit who fights for the poor and defends injustice, breaking many a heart along the way; made eternally famous by Antonio Banderas. Well, the musical has all the passion, love and fire of the film, with a little extra heart, all set to the songs of the Gipsy Kings.
It must be great to get back into theatre post-lockdown, especially with such a high energy show, what has the rehearsal process been like?
Being back in the rehearsal room is a huge privilege … it’s definitely one of my favourite parts of putting on a show. The pure magic of a group of actors in a space creating an imaginary world together … it’s so exciting! It’s a place to make bold offers and explore the full range of your character with no judgement … there are no wrong choices, instead there are endless possibilities. As my acting teacher Margot Fenley would say “Be bold and fail gloriously!”
Ramon is a pretty evil character and you’ve previously played Jafar in Aladdin, are you a fan of the villains?
I do love myself a villain. I think they’re the most interesting characters to play because you get to safely explore often darker ways of thinking and existing that are not always socially acceptable in everyday life. In the case of Jafar, it’s just CAMP!
The score of Zorro is by the Gipsy Kings, if you were to have a band write the score for a musical about your life, who would you choose?
Fleetwood Mac for sure. Or Gaga. Maybe James Taylor … this one’s hard.
What song are you most excited to perform for an audience when the show opens?
I love Baila Me … such a good tune! But watching Djobi Djoba and Bamboleo from offstage is a personal highlight for me. We are lucky to have such a talented company who not only sing and act, they also have to play multiple instruments, dance (WHILST PLAYING), shoot guns and sword fight!
Why should people come and see Zorro?
If you love The Gipsy Kings, you will love this show. The music fills your soul! You’re in for a night of heartfelt story telling full of passion, love, swashbuckling and sword fighting. VIVA EL ZORRO!
Thank you so much Alex for taking the time to chat to us. Zorro opens at the Charing Cross Theatre 2nd April
Interview by Olivia Mitchell, Editor
Monday 24 February 2020
Zorro, Cadogan Hall | Review
Zorro
Cadogan Hall
Reviewed on Sunday 23rd February 2020 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
Fiery, Latin, wacky, soulful and brilliant, Zorro made a triumphant return to London last night, 12 years after its West End premiere. The story of Diego De La Vega who becomes the illusive Fox aka Zorro, to save his town from the tyrannical reign of his childhood friend Ramon, is the classic good vs evil that can't help but invest you with its sincerity and heart of gold. Add to this a score by the Gipsy Kings and a fantastic cast and you've got a great night on your hands.
The plot is wafer thin but in this concert setting, we really had the chance to go beyond that to focus on the fantastic Spanish music and the wonderful characterisation from the whole cast. Even in a full setting, I would imagine that the self-awareness of this show, means you can pretty much overlook the plot faults and just enjoy it for what it is- a heap of fun! There are many 'deep' moments peppered throughout the production, but they're equally balanced with camp humour and wit which lighten the tone and allow us to go on a pretty much carefree journey.
Ricardo Afonso was incredibly convincing and powerful as Zorro/Diego, giving a completely marvellous vocal performance and enrapturing the audience of Cadogan Hall. Delightfully tongue in cheek, with a great balance of sincerity, swagger and playfulness, there's not much more you could ask for from the debonair hero. In great contrast, Robert Tripolino was truly evil as the rapacious ruler Ramon and completely commanded the stage in every moment. Zubin Varla and Jo Parsons, gave solid performances and it's just a shame we didn't get the chance to see and hear more from them.
The love interest Luisa was performed with tenderness by Emma Williams, who revived her West End role and showcased her vocal dexterity, namely in her touching rendition of The Man Behind the Mask.
Also reviving her (Olivier Award Winning) role, was Lesli Margherita who deservedly garnered much applause as the vivacious, smouldering gypsy Inez. Lesli's rendition of Bamboleo will be a memorable moment for everyone at Cadogan Hall and we can only hope she'll be back on London soil soon!
Under the baton of Freddie Tapner, the LMTO orchestra brought vibrant energy to the Hall, with exceptional guitar and percussion woven throughout the entire score. The foot stomping music was fully realised thanks to Paul Smith's sound design which was wonderfully balanced and showcased every single performer and musician brilliantly.
Entertaining and enthusiastic, Zorro was a perfect way to spend a Sunday. Hopefully the rapturous reception is enough to bring this musical back to London very soon. Viva el Zorro!
photo credit: Darren Bell
photo credit: Darren Bell
Thursday 13 February 2020
Lesli Margherita on Bringing Zorro Back to London for One Night Only | Interview
The musical version of Zorro premiered in the West End in 2008. With a score by the Gipsy Kings, it tells the good versus evil tale of the legendary hero Zorro. In it's first London performance since closing, the musical will be performed as a staged concert at Cadogan Hall this month.
Lesli Margherita, who starred in the original workshops and West End production, will be reprising her Olivier Award winning role as Inez at this concert. Lesli sat down with Rewrite This Story to discuss bringing the show back to London, her advice for performers and the lowdown on her other musical, Emojiland...
Lesli Margherita, who starred in the original workshops and West End production, will be reprising her Olivier Award winning role as Inez at this concert. Lesli sat down with Rewrite This Story to discuss bringing the show back to London, her advice for performers and the lowdown on her other musical, Emojiland...
You are the Queen of self branding, do you have any advice for performers wanting to create their own space in the industry?
I didn’t try to brand, and I think that's probably the most important thing. This all came out my family calling me queen and being a kid writing ‘Lesli Rules’ on everything. So, the best thing for branding is just being yourself. I think I’m authentically myself and I share the good parts and the bad parts of me, and I think that’s maybe what people or kids have kind of gravitated to. Yeah, so the best thing is to just be yourself, people can tell fake branding from a mile away. This totally happened by accident!
You’ve returned to a few musicals with Mrs Wormwood and now Inez, what’s that like? Do you set out to change parts or just go with the process and see what happens?
I think naturally it’s gonna change, because I’ve changed. It’s inherent that it will change, especially with something like Zorro because I spent so many years on it before the West End, and then I changed it during the West End and then even after that I did a few versions of it. Even just listening to the recording now I’m like “why did I do that?!” so that’s gonna change. And with Matilda there were little things that I’d always wanted to change and I think it’s great to leave something alone for a little while and see what happens.
Do you think because this is a concert version, you’ll have more space to alter things and play around a bit?
Totally yeah. I would love to do a full version to see how it would be different but I think with this the focus is really on the music which is exciting!
You’ve got such an amazing cast to perform it as well!
I know! I’m so excited! I’m really excited to perform with Emma [Williams] again, it’s going to be so nice
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| The cast of Zorro in concert at Cadogan Hall |
Since you’ve found out you’ll be doing the show again, is there a particular song you’re excited to sing once more?
Every time I get to do Bamboleo I’m happy- it’s my favourite. I never get tired of it, even when the actual Gipsy Kings version comes on on my ipod I never skip it cause it’s just so good.
Well hopefully we’ll get an updated recording soon, after this maybe it’s time for West End and Olivier number two!?
Oh I mean I would love that. I’d really really love it to come back- hopefully soon!
Can you sum up the show in five words?
Romantic, adventuresome, electric, uplifting and swashbuckling!
Aside from Zorro, you’re working on Emojiland, tell us a little about the show
It sounds crazy! It sounds like it’s gonna be a dumb show but it’s not! It’s about a bunch of emojis living in a phone and what happens after an update is implemented and a bunch of different emojis come in. It’s really about not looking at things for face value and seeing what’s behind the face, and seeing that just because that’s how someone looks, it might not be how they’re feeling. It also gets a little political, it’s about not wanting change, not wanting different types of people or emojis going into their land; it’s really got so much heart.
I did it first at a festival two years ago here in New York, kind of as a bare bones version and when I found out they were doing it off-Broadway as a full production I couldn’t wait to be a part of it, I love it so much.
It’ll be nice when people can hear the recording that comes out in a couple of weeks, because the songs are amazing and it really is so touching and funny, but also meaningful which people aren’t expecting cause it’s called Emojiland!
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| Lesli Margherita in "Emojiland." (Photo: Jeremy Daniel) |
Yeah, I mean when I first heard about it I was a bit on the fence but everyone says it’s amazing!
Exactly! That’s kind of what we’re counting on. We’re counting on getting people in there and then them changing their minds because that’s what always happens. People come and say it really wasn’t what they expected and they really enjoyed it!
So you’re obviously a very busy lady with all your shows and travelling, do you have any advice for looking after your voice when it’s under pressure?
Really it’s the same stuff that everybody tells you. It’s the steaming and the rest and all the things you can never do. I never have time to rest, I never have time to steam but they’re the things you’re supposed to do and I really think that they’re important. Also, overall general care of yourself at all times, so that even when you don’t have time, your body is in good condition. It’s just a constant sort of upkeep.
I also think that the foundations and training are so important. I rely on my training so much when my voice is tired. Especially when I was dong Matilda because that role is so difficult vocally and while you’re dancing and screaming, so I really relied on my training and on the vocal team there at Matilda to keep me in shape and healthy.
I think it’s a lot of common sense, don’t go out drinking late at night and try and get some rest!
Mrs Wormwood is a very shrieky role, it must’ve been hard!
Well we worked on it so it was really a mix, it sounded screechy but it was just a mix. My mix has never been stronger than when I was in Matilda! It was really interesting trying to find that place and it never hurt once. It’s really difficult to explain to somebody though, there are all these high schoolers and stuff doing it and losing their voices and I just say “don’t scream!”
I saw your panel at BroadwayCon a few years ago and you mentioned wanting to return to the role of Inez which is happening now, so I just wondered if you have any other dream roles you’d like to put out into the universe?
I’ve been really lucky with the shows I‘ve gotten to do around the country here, but every time I’ve played Adelaide in Guys and Dolls I’ve loved it so it would be great to be able to play her again.
I’d also love to do Evita, and I really want American audiences to get to see Zorro so I hope that’ll happen someday soon!
A huge, thank you to Lesli for taking the time to chat with us. Zorro plays at Cadogan Hall on 23 February for one night only!
Interview by Olivia Mitchell
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